The Lufthansa Group kicked off 2025 with a robust first quarter, marking its strongest start in a decade.
Despite global uncertainties, the airline group remains confident about the year ahead, fueled by rising demand for air travel.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG confirmed the projections for the year. “Global demand for flights continues to climb. We’re optimistic about the summer and maintain a positive outlook for 2025.”
Lufthansa Group Q1 2025
Q1 Financial Performance
In Q1 2025, Lufthansa Group’s revenue soared by 10% to €8.1 billion, up from €7.4 billion the previous year.
The operating loss (adjusted EBIT) improved significantly, dropping to €722 million from €849 million in Q1 2024. This reflects better operational efficiency and cost management, setting a solid foundation for the year.
Operational Stability Increases
The Group expanded flight capacity by nearly 5% compared to last year, while maintaining a load factor of 78.7%. Improved planning led to fewer disruptions, boosting punctuality across its passenger airlines.
Notably, Lufthansa’s core brand recorded its best operational start in ten years. At its Frankfurt hub, the need for hotel bookings due to delays plummeted, with 20,000 fewer beds booked than in Q1 2024.
Compensation costs for delays and cancellations also dropped by 52%, falling to €47 million from €98 million.
Passenger Airlines Face Challenges
Passenger airline revenue grew by 6% to €5.9 billion, up from €5.6 billion in 2024. However, the adjusted EBIT for passenger airlines slightly worsened to -€934 million from -€918 million.
This was partly due to the Easter travel season shifting to Q2 this year. Without this shift, earnings would have improved significantly.
Rising costs also pressured results, but Lufthansa is addressing these challenges strategically.
North Atlantic Demand Surges
Flights to and from North America performed exceptionally well. Passenger numbers rose by 7.1%, with load factors increasing by 0.7 percentage points.
Average revenues for these routes climbed by 6.7%. In March alone, Lufthansa Group carried 25% more passengers from the US to Europe than the previous year, signaling sustained demand.
Lufthansa Technik and Cargo Thrive
Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance and repair division, saw revenue jump by 18% to €2.0 billion from €1.7 billion, driven by strong demand for its services. In the logistics segment, Lufthansa Cargo increased capacity by 7%, thanks to expanded freight space in passenger aircraft and a new Boeing 777 freighter. Sales rose by 9%, with average revenues up 12% compared to Q1 2024.
Looking Ahead
The Lufthansa Group anticipates a robust summer travel season, with high demand for Mediterranean destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece.
Long-haul routes, particularly to North America, also show strong booking trends. However, global trade tensions and economic uncertainties pose challenges for forecasting Q3 and beyond.
To stay agile, Lufthansa has formed a task force to monitor developments and adjust capacity if needed.
Lufthansa Group’s Q1 2025 results highlight its resilience and adaptability in a dynamic market. With operational improvements, strong demand, and a proactive approach to challenges, the airline group looks forward to a successful year.
As summer approaches, Lufthansa remains focused on delivering exceptional service while navigating global uncertainties. The creation of a task force to monitor the market suggests a well planned approach to ensure operational success.
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