Lufthansa achieves highest-ever turnover

The results presented by Lufthansa are certainly positive, although the German airline continues to face several challenges.

In the third quarter, the group’s revenue rose by 4% compared to the previous year, reaching €11.2 billion — the highest quarterly turnover in Lufthansa’s history, CE Report quotes ANSA.

Passenger numbers also increased (up 2.5% in the first months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024), as did the number of flights (+2.8%). However, figures remain below pre-pandemic levels: passengers are down 7.7%, and flights 14.6% lower than in 2019.

The company has begun renewing its fleet and services, working to integrate and streamline its various brands — a process that will also involve Ita Airways.

CEO Carsten Spohr expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, especially in improving flight regularity and punctuality. “In the first nine months of 2025, the punctuality and regularity of the group’s passenger airlines reached their highest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic,” the report stated.

According to CFO Till Streichert, expenses for canceled or delayed flights in Q3 2025 fell by €100 million compared to the same period last year, also helped by an 8% drop in fuel costs.

However, other expenses increased (+11%).

“Tariffs and charges rose by 9% year-on-year, with 80CC costs alone up 17%; passenger and airport handling expenses also showed double-digit growth, particularly in our domestic market in Germany,” Streichert said.

The airline continues to raise the issue with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government. Lufthansa also faces upcoming sustainable aviation fuel quotas and difficulties in the Asian market, where operations remain affected by the closure of Russian airspace.