Finance
Germany's Lufthansa takes on Nazi past as it turns 100
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 4, 2026
Quick Summary
Lufthansa marks 100 years by addressing its Nazi-era history, acknowledging past actions, and educating employees with new initiatives.
Lufthansa Reflects on Its Nazi Past as It Celebrates 100 Years
Lufthansa's Historical Reappraisal
By Ilona Wissenbach
Acknowledging the Dark Past
FRANKFURT, Feb 4 (Reuters) - To mark a century since its founding, Germany's Lufthansa is reappraising its history to take on greater responsibility for its actions during the Nazi era, breaking with earlier attempts to separate its pre- and post-war identity.
Steps Towards Accountability
"We at Lufthansa are proud of what we are today," CEO Carsten Spohr told journalists in remarks released on Wednesday. "To then ignore the difficult, dark, terrible years would simply have been dishonest."
New Initiatives and Research
Even the decision to mark 100 years since the start of the first "Deutsche Luft Hansa" reflects a shift. The company had long stressed the legal and organisational break between its predecessor - which was deeply integrated into the Nazi regime and shut down in 1946 - and the post-war Lufthansa AG founded in 1953.
Employee Education
Lufthansa's board and supervisory board members had joined the Nazi Party from 1930 onwards and, as the state airline, it carried government officials.
Lufthansa also had a role in the arms industry and the Luftwaffe air force. In 1944, the armaments sector contributed more than two-thirds of total revenue.
STEPS IN A NEW DIRECTION
Earlier board members stressed the legal separation largely for reasons of reputation and liability. Lufthansa now wants to take responsibility, Spohr said.
One step is a new book on the company's history that will be distributed to all of its more than 100,000 employees, along with an exhibition in the new visitors' centre.
Lufthansa commissioned research into its past more than 25 years ago but declined to acknowledge findings on the extent of its use of forced labour and personnel continuity after World War Two.
According to historian Manfred Grieger, who contributed to the book, more than 12,000 people were exploited in Hansa's arms production and its repair and maintenance operations. It has only recently emerged that the number included children.
(Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach. Writing by Miranda Murray. Editing by Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Lufthansa is reappraising its Nazi-era history as it celebrates 100 years.
- •The airline acknowledges its involvement with the Nazi regime.
- •New initiatives include a book and exhibition for employees.
- •Research highlights forced labor and Nazi Party affiliations.
- •Lufthansa aims to take responsibility for its historical actions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Germany's Lufthansa takes on Nazi past as it turns 100
1What is corporate social responsibility?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to a company's commitment to conducting business ethically and contributing to economic development while improving the quality of life for employees, their families, and the community.
2What is employee education?
Employee education involves training and development programs aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, and competencies of employees to improve their performance and career growth.
3What is historical analysis?
Historical analysis is the examination and interpretation of past events to understand their causes, effects, and significance in shaping current realities.
4What is sustainability?
Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often focusing on environmental, social, and economic factors.
5What is financial accountability?
Financial accountability is the obligation of an organization to report, explain, and be answerable for the financial consequences of its actions, ensuring transparency and integrity in financial management.
