NY-bound Lufthansa flight turns back to Frankfurt after oil leak reportedSeptember 19th, 2009 NY-bound Lufthansa jet turns back after oil leakFRANKFURT — A New York-bound Boeing 747 operated by German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG turned back in mid-flight Saturday after the pilot reported that one if the plane's four engines was leaking oil. The airline said Saturday that the plane, carrying 334 passengers from Frankfurt to New York, was over Greenland when the pilot made the decision to turn back although the plane could have flown onward to New York's John F.
European Commission approves German airline Lufthansa's takeover of Austrian AirlinesAugust 28th, 2009 EU clears Lufthansa's Austrian Airlines takeoverFRANKFURT — German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Friday the European Commission has approved its takeover of Austrian Airlines Group, allowing it start integrating the company in September. Cologne-based Lufthansa is taking over about 42 percent of the shares of Austrian Airlines owned by the government for about €336,000 ($480,000), according to the European Commission.
German airline Air Berlin's second quarter net profit falls 9 percent to €7 millionAugust 25th, 2009 Air Berlin Q2 net profit falls 9 pctFRANKFURT — German airline Air Berlin PLC said Tuesday its net profit fell about 9 percent in the second quarter as the global economic downturn continued to weigh on air travel. The Berlin-based company, Germany's second largest airline after Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said it earned euro7.1 million ($10 million) in the April-June period, compared with euro7.8 million in the second quarter of 2008.
Lufthansa group July passenger levels rise 12 percent, helped by BMI, rising demandAugust 11th, 2009 Lufthansa's July passenger numbers up 12 pctFRANKFURT — Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Tuesday that its group passenger numbers increased by 12 percent on the year in July, helped by small increases in demand in Europe and Asia and the consolidation of British carrier BMI. Cologne-based Lufthansa said the group, which also includes Swiss International Airlines, transported 7.2 million passengers last month — up from 6.4 million a year earlier, a figure that was weighed down by strikes.
Ailing Austrian Airlines reports 1H, Q2 losses amid 'extremely weak demand'August 4th, 2009 Austrian Airlines runs up 1H, Q2 lossesVIENNA — Austrian Airlines, the ailing carrier due to be taken over by Germany's Lufthansa, reported losses for the second quarter and first half of the year on Tuesday, blaming the slump in demand affecting the global aviation industry. The airline experienced a loss of euro78.5 million ($113 million) in the April-June period, compared with a profit of euro11.7 million ($16.8 million) a year earlier, a company statement said.
EU to approve Lufthansa bid for Austrian AirlinesJuly 31st, 2009 EU to OK Lufthansa bid for Austrian AirlinesBRUSSELS — The European Union's antitrust chief says she will clear Lufthansa's bid for Austrian Airlines. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said Friday that EU governments and the European Commission would still have to formally approve the takeover.
German airline Lufthansa 2Q net profit falls 88 percent to €40 millionJuly 30th, 2009 Lufthansa 2Q net pft falls 88 pct to €40 millionFRANKFURT — Airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Thursday its second quarter profit fell 88 percent on a slump in sales — especially of lucrative first- and business-class seats — due to the global recession. The Cologne-based airline, Europe's largest by sales, earned €40 million ($56 million) in the April-June period compared with €337 million a year ago.
German airline Lufthansa wants Austrian authorities to extend Austrian Airline merger deadlineJuly 28th, 2009 Lufthansa seeks Austrian merger deadline extensionFRANKFURT — German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Tuesday it has applied for a month-long extension to the deadline to merge with Austrian Airlines in order to fulfill certain obligations for the deal. In a brief statement, the Cologne-based airline said it had applied to the Austrian Takeover Commission for the extension — to Aug.
German drug, chemical maker Merck second quarter net profit falls 48 percent to euro109 millionJuly 24th, 2009 Merck Q2 net profit falls 48 percent to euro109 MFRANKFURT — German drug and chemical maker Merck KGaA said Friday its second quarter net profit fell 48 percent as higher research costs and one-time effects from the acquisition of Serono weighed on the bottom line. The Darmstadt-based company reported a net profit of euro108 million ($153 million) in the April-June period compared with euro207 million a year earlier.
EU says Lufthansa made a new offer to soothe antitrust concerns on Austrian Airlines bidJuly 17th, 2009 EU: Lufthansa makes new offer for AustrianBRUSSELS — Lufthansa has made a new offer to try and soothe antitrust concerns over its bid for Austrian Airlines, European Union regulators say. EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said last week that chances of Lufthansa winning regulatory approval for the deal by July 31 were fading fast because the company was not doing enough to eliminate competition concerns that the deal would reduce choice and hike fares on some routes.
German airline Lufthansa to cut 400 jobs, reconsider plane orders to save moneyJuly 16th, 2009 New Lufthansa cost saving program sees job cutsFRANKFURT — Airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG expects to cut 400 administrative jobs at its passenger division and will reconsider its schedule of new aircraft deliveries in a bid save euro1 billion by 2011. In a letter sent to workers, Christoph Franz, the deputy chief executive, told employees that Lufthansa's losses had continued from the first quarter into the second quarter, and that the trend would continue into the second half of the year unless market conditions change.
EU says Lufthansa is not allaying antitrust concerns on Austrian Airlines takeoverJuly 10th, 2009 EU warns Lufthansa on Austrian takeoverBRUSSELS — European Union regulators charged Friday that Lufthansa AG has not done enough to allay antitrust concerns over its bid for Austrian Airlines and they are now unlikely to approve it by the end of the month. Lufthansa has the right to pull out of the takeover if EU approval doesn't come through by July 31.
German airline Lufthansa's May traffic falls 4.4 percent to 6 million passengersJune 10th, 2009 Lufthansa May traffic falls 4.4 pct to 6 millionFRANKFURT — German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Wednesday the company's group passenger levels in May fell 4.4 percent to 6 million people, as the global recession cut into demand. The Cologne-based company saw 6.3 million passengers in May 2008.
German airline Lufthansa reports first quarter net loss of euro256 millionApril 29th, 2009 Lufthansa 1Q net loss euro256 millionFRANKFURT — German airline Lufthansa reported a first quarter net loss of euro256 million ($339.6 million) Wednesday, as the economic crisis cut into global travel and freight volumes. Cologne-based Deutsche Lufthansa AG's loss for the January-March period compares with a net profit of euro44 million in the first quarter of 2008.
German airline Lufthansa reiterates it's prepared for difficult market, sector consolidationApril 24th, 2009 Lufthansa says it's prepared for difficult marketFRANKFURT — Airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said Friday it expects the current difficult operating environment to continue in 2009, but that it was well prepared for the economic turbulence and the expected consolidation in the airline industry. At the company's annual general meeting, Cologne-based Lufthansa, Germany's largest airline, reiterated the extent and duration of the current economic crisis can't be forecast.