Quantcast

Lufthansa CEO reveals $540 million annual loss due to delayed aircraft deliveries

Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Lufthansa CEO reveals $540 million annual loss due to delayed aircraft deliveries
Policy
Webp d3kueeshm49t6gt53ij8ni5kbj8k
James Pearson Route Development Journalist | Simple Flying

The chief executive of Lufthansa Group has publicly expressed frustrations with aircraft delivery delays. The group had planned to receive up to 30 new aircraft in 2024 but continues facing ongoing delivery delays and uncertainties. Additionally, the group has experienced issues with the PW1100G engine, further impacting its near-term capacity.

Carsten Spohr, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Lufthansa Group, detailed how recent aircraft delivery delays from Airbus and Boeing have significantly impacted the group’s operations. "No aircraft has been delivered on time," he noted, resulting in financial losses amounting to approximately $540 million annually.

Speaking at a business press club in late June, Spohr stated that these delays could cost Lufthansa as much as €500 million ($540 million) per year. Reuters reported his remarks emphasizing that no aircraft has arrived on schedule.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

On multiple occasions, Lufthansa has indicated it chose to reactivate its Airbus A380 following the pandemic due to high demand and long-haul segment delivery delays. The German airline began flying its fifth Airbus A380 in March, with two more scheduled for reactivation in 2024 and 2025.

When announcing its Q1 2024 results—heavily impacted by multiple strikes by labor unions representing the group's employees—Lufthansa Group reiterated plans to receive up to 30 new aircraft in 2024 while warning about repeated delivery delays. “However, due to production problems and delays in certification, there have been repeated postponements in planned aircraft deliveries throughout the industry,” a statement read.

Ch-aviation data showed that seven airlines within the Lufthansa Group—including Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS)—are awaiting 250 aircraft deliveries. This includes airframes acquired on the second-hand market.

Assessing how much these delays have affected the group is challenging given significant impacts from employee strikes during Q1 2024. Year-on-year capacity growth measured in available seat kilometers (ASK) was reported at 12%. However, unit revenues dropped by 6.3% YoY due to lower yields and increased compensations paid to passengers among other factors.

In addition to both Airbus and Boeing struggling with delivery schedules, Pratt & Whitney—the makers of many aircraft engines including the PW1100G used for Airbus A320neo family—has faced maintenance capacity issues exacerbated by accelerated inspections and removals due to a manufacturing problem.

Lufthansa Group continues facing issues related to this engine but remains increasingly confident about negotiations with Pratt & Whitney over compensation for financial losses. Ch-aviation data indicates that out of their fleet powered by PW1100G engines, 13 are currently stored while another 23 are undergoing maintenance.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Planning a vacation on a private jet involves more than just booking flights and accommodations.

May 30, 2025

Air India has announced an extension of its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 19, 2025.

May 29, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a double bonus miles promotion for flights between Lagos and any of its destinations.

May 29, 2025

Copa Airlines announced it has resumed flights between Panama City and Caracas as of May 27, offering daily service with plans to increase to two daily flights starting June 23, 2025.

May 29, 2025

Hainan Airlines has announced a new direct international route between Jeddah and Haikou, marking its first connection between Saudi Arabia and China.

May 29, 2025

Alaska Airlines announced it is launching Chef’s (tray) Table, a new First Class dining program featuring top West Coast chefs, beginning June 5 on select flights, according to a post on X. Alaska Airlines is introducing Chef’s (tray) Table, a...

May 29, 2025