The Lufthansa Group has announced an operating profit of €1.3 billion for the third quarter, a strong result that allows the company to reaffirm its forecast for a significant profit increase in 2025.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, expressed a positive view of the period. He noted that the group experienced its most successful summer for flight operations in the last ten years, with regularity surpassing 99 percent and punctuality showing double-digit improvements.
Following extended delays, aircraft deliveries are picking up speed, and the company is moving forward with extensive upgrades to its long-haul fleets. These improvements, along with digital innovations, enhanced services, and redesigned lounges, contributed to a sharp rise in passenger satisfaction during the third quarter.
Cost Management and Stable Demand
Employee satisfaction also reached new highs across the group, marking 2025 as a pivotal year. Thanks to strict cost controls and efficiency measures, unit costs showed significant improvement in the second half of the year. Demand remains steady, particularly in premium travel segments, and bookings for the fourth quarter appear promising.
Spohr mentioned the ongoing efforts to revitalize the core business and enhance airline efficiency. Despite this, the group stands by its projection for much-improved earnings in 2025. He did, however, voice concerns about Germany’s business environment, noting that domestic air travel within the country has been cut in half since 2019 due to increasing regulatory costs.
Record Revenue and Financial Performance
In the third quarter, revenue increased by 4 percent year-over-year, climbing to €11.2 billion from €10.7 billion. This figure represents the highest quarterly revenue in the Lufthansa Group’s history.
The operating profit, or Adjusted EBIT, was €1.3 billion, matching the previous year’s figure. For the first nine months of the year, the operating profit reached €1.5 billion, an increase of €300 million compared to the same period last year.
Consolidated net profit for the third quarter decreased by 12 percent to €1.0 billion. However, over the nine-month period, it rose to approximately €1.1 billion from €830 million in the prior year.
Lufthansa Cargo continued its strong performance from the first half, reporting an operating profit of €49 million in Q3, up from €38 million. This growth was driven by solid demand, higher volumes, and a focus on profitable expansion.
Lufthansa Technik’s operating profit fell to €130 million from €161 million. While demand and revenue were strong, the results were impacted by tariffs and currency fluctuations, and the company is continuing its efforts to mitigate these effects.
Confident Outlook for Future Growth
Till Streichert, Chief Financial Officer, emphasized the company’s resilience. “Despite weak Q3 demand, we stayed on track,” he said, which allows the group to confirm its full-year forecast. The fourth quarter is critical for the cargo division, and passenger demand is expected to strengthen.
Looking ahead to 2026, the company will focus on disciplined capacity growth in its long-haul operations, with the Lufthansa Turnaround Program remaining a top priority.
Advance bookings indicate stable demand across all regions for the fourth quarter, with load factors and yields consistent with last year’s levels. The North Atlantic and European markets are showing increasing stability.
Despite global uncertainties, the group anticipates capacity growth of around 4 percent and forecasts a full-year Adjusted EBIT well above last year’s €1.6 billion. In conclusion, Lufthansa Group’s Q3 results demonstrate operational strength and cost discipline, setting the stage for substantial earnings growth in 2025.