Lufthansa is reviewing the possibility of keeping about 20 of its aircraft grounded as a precautionary measure in light of the conflict in the Middle East.
During a last‑minute virtual staff meeting on Tuesday afternoon, CEO Carsten Spohr told employees that the company had charged the team with preparing the necessary steps.
The plan would cut seat‑capacity availability by 2.5 %. If required, Lufthansa could in the future keep as many as 40 aircraft on the ground. The focus is especially on models that are already close to retirement.
Lufthansa has locked in 80 % of its fuel needs against price volatility, but the higher jet‑fuel prices on the remaining inventory would add roughly €1.5 billion of extra cost. The airline sees no alternative but to raise ticket prices, saying this will dampen demand because fewer people will travel.
According to Spohr, the repercussions of the situation in the Middle East are larger than the company originally expected.