Lufthansa Eyes Profit Growth in 2026 via New Labor Deals

Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter has outlined plans to significantly improve the carrier’s profitability starting in 2026, supported by a long-term cost-reduction and service-quality program scheduled to continue through 2028.

A key part of the strategy is the set of newly renegotiated labor contracts for ground staff, cockpit crews, and cabin teams.

The airline is also fine-tuning workforce rules and revisiting the size of its standby aircraft fleet to ensure planes and crews are allocated more efficiently.

These changes will give Lufthansa more flexibility in how employees are scheduled and assigned, paving the way for more productive operations beginning in 2026.

Ritter said the plan is expected to help the airline shed its image as a lower-performing unit within Lufthansa Group, which reported a solid third quarter with a revenue increase of 4 percent year over year to a record €11.2 billion (about $12.9 billion).

Photo by Alan Angelats on Unsplash