Lufthansa, the flag carrier of Germany, has taken delivery of a brand-new Airbus A350-900, serial 692, further bolstering its long-haul fleet. This latest addition aligns with Lufthansa’s strategy to modernize its aircraft lineup, offering passengers enhanced comfort and operational efficiency.
Condor Airlines, a prominent German leisure carrier, has announced plans to discontinue service from Frankfurt to six North American destinations in 2025. The affected routes include Baltimore, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, San Antonio, Edmonton, and Halifax. This decision follows a ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice concerning feeder flights with Lufthansa, Germany’s largest airline.
Lufthansa, Germany’s flagship carrier, has urged the European Commission to suspend the EU-Qatar air transport agreement, citing concerns over its “radically unequal” terms and serious corruption allegations. The agreement, which liberalizes market access between the EU and Qatar, has come under increased scrutiny in recent months.
Lufthansa (Germany) has issued an urgent appeal to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting critical challenges faced by the European aviation industry. In a formal letter, Lufthansa’s management has demanded enhanced support for the sector to safeguard its competitive position on the global stage.
ITA Airways (Italy) is set to become a member of Star Alliance in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s evolution. This move aligns with ITA’s acquisition by Lufthansa (Germany), which is a prominent member of the global airline network.
The European Commission has granted approval under the EU Merger Regulation for easyJet (UK), IAG (UK), and Air France-KLM as suitable remedy takers. This decision comes as part of the commitments made by Lufthansa (Germany) and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to secure joint control over ITA Airways (Italy).
Lufthansa (Germany) has expanded its fleet with the delivery of a new Airbus A350-900, identified by serial number 672. The aircraft is powered by advanced Trent XWB-84 engines, further supporting Lufthansa’s strategy for fleet modernization and sustainability.
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr has stated that supply chain disruptions in the aviation industry are likely to persist until the end of the decade. Speaking about the ongoing challenges, Spohr highlighted that aircraft delivery delays remain a significant concern for airlines globally, affecting fleet expansion and modernization plans.
TAP Air Portugal has reported a 35% decrease in net profit for the third quarter of 2024, totaling $124.1 million. This decline comes despite a 2% increase in operating revenues, which reached $1.35 billion during the same period.
Klaus-Michael Kuhne, a significant shareholder of Lufthansa Group, has publicly voiced concerns about a perceived decline in service quality at Lufthansa and its subsidiary, SWISS. In his statement, Kuhne highlighted dissatisfaction with operational standards and hinted at plans to exert greater influence on the airline’s management to address these issues.
