Lufthansa Foresees Robust Growth in 2026 Despite Middle East Turmoil
Deutsche Lufthansa AG has provided an optimistic forecast for fiscal 2026, predicting a substantial rise in adjusted EBIT, despite the ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East that has driven oil prices over $90 per barrel.
The German aviation behemoth posted impressive results for 2025, with total revenue hitting €39.6 billion, marking a 5% year-over-year increase. The operating profit also saw a jump, rising to €2 billion from €1.6 billion in 2024, a 20% increase. Over the course of the year, the airline served 135 million passengers, a 3% increase from the previous period.
Looking ahead to 2026, Lufthansa plans to boost capacity by roughly 4%, with a specific emphasis on intercontinental routes. The airline foresees additional revenue growth and considerably enhanced earnings, bolstered by its ongoing turnaround program at Lufthansa Airlines. This initiative is projected to generate a cumulative gross earnings effect of approximately €1.5 billion in 2026, escalating to €2.5 billion by 2028.
CEO Carsten Spohr recognized the difficulties posed by the Middle East conflict, highlighting increased forecast uncertainty due to escalating fuel prices and route disruptions. Nevertheless, the crisis has also opened up opportunities as passengers look for safer travel alternatives. Lufthansa reported a 75% increase in bookings to Asia for April compared to the previous year, and the airline intends to introduce special flights to Singapore, Bangkok, India, China, and South Africa.
“The massive concentration of global traffic flows via the Gulf hubs is increasingly proving to be a geopolitical Achilles’ heel,” Spohr stated, positioning Lufthansa’s European network as a strategic advantage during the crisis.
Source: Lufthansa Group