Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 28, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleLufthansa plans to boost profitability by 2026 through cost-cutting, fleet renewal, and improved operational stability, according to CEO Jens Ritter.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany's Lufthansa wants to increase profitability at its core brand next year after it is set to return to the black this year, Lufthansa Airlines' CEO Jens Ritter said on Thursday.
Lufthansa Airlines will achieve all targets for the current year in its cost-cutting and service programme that runs until 2028, "and with that, we are back on track to return to profitability," Ritter told journalists.
The main Lufthansa brand has been called the group's "problem child," a label that it is has struggled to remove despite the turnaround plan, which is designed to cut costs and centralise operations across its multi-hub operation.
Improvements in operational stability, which have reduced compensation costs for flight cancellations and delays, have contributed to the positive development, he added.
The coming year will be "focused on profitability and productivity", said Ritter. Many company agreements on the ground and in the cockpit and cabin have been renegotiated and will enable more productive staff deployment from 2026, he added.
Lufthansa has also changed regulations to allow for more flexible staffing and is examining whether the number of reserve aircraft could be reduced and thus deploy more aircraft.
The company also wants to earn more with its ongoing fleet renewal: The new Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 long-haul jets are equipped with more comfortable seats, and catering is to be improved in all booking classes on long-haul routes from 2026.
(Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, writing by Miranda Murray, editing by Thomas Seythal)
Profitability is a measure of a company's ability to generate income relative to its expenses. It indicates how efficiently a company can turn sales into profit.
A cost-cutting program is a strategic initiative implemented by a company to reduce its expenses and improve profitability. This can include reducing staff, renegotiating contracts, or streamlining operations.
Operational stability refers to the consistency and reliability of a company's operations. It involves minimizing disruptions and ensuring that services are delivered effectively and efficiently.
A turnaround plan is a strategy designed to improve a struggling company's performance. It typically involves restructuring operations, reducing costs, and enhancing revenue generation.
Fleet renewal is the process of replacing older vehicles or aircraft with newer models to improve efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance service quality.
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