At its Capital Markets Day in Munich, the Lufthansa Group unveiled its medium-term financial ambitions, strategic plans for its airlines and subsidiaries, and confirmed that structural changes will lead to around 4,000 job cuts worldwide by 2030, mostly in Germany.
Aviation24.be had already reported on the rumours ahead of the weekend, citing Reuters and Bloomberg sources, which indicated deep staff reductions were in the pipeline. Today, Lufthansa confirmed that the cuts will primarily affect administrative rather than operational roles, as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and streamlined structures eliminate duplication of work across the Group. Discussions with social partners are ongoing.
The Lufthansa Group is reshaping its structure under four strategic pillars:
- Network Airlines – Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways will be integrated more closely, aligning responsibilities and decision-making to unlock synergies. Lufthansa highlighted strong passenger demand, slow aircraft supply chain deliveries that support yields, and the rapid integration of ITA Airways. More than 230 new aircraft, including 100 long-haul jets, are expected to join the Group by 2030.
- Eurowings – Having repositioned itself as Europe’s value airline, Eurowings continues its leisure expansion. The spin-off Eurowings Holidays aims to become one of Germany’s top ten tour operators. A fleet renewal programme will see 40 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft join its operations, making it one of Europe’s youngest short- and medium-haul fleets.
- Lufthansa Technik (MRO) – The global market leader is pressing ahead with its “Ambition 2030” growth plan, expanding its footprint in Canada and Portugal while building up a new Defence division. Digital models are expected to boost profitability.
- Lufthansa Cargo – Benefiting from booming e-commerce demand, Lufthansa Cargo is investing €600 million in its Frankfurt hub, automation, and digitalisation, with the goal of becoming a top-three global cargo airline.
The Group is setting bold new medium-term financial targets for 2028–2030:
- Adjusted EBIT margin of 8–10%
- Adjusted ROCE (Return on Capital Employed) before taxes of 15–20%
- Adjusted free cash flow of more than €2.5 billion per year
To achieve these targets, Lufthansa will continue to focus on fleet renewal, efficiency gains, and digital transformation. A conservative minimum liquidity of €8–10 billion and an investment-grade rating remain priorities, alongside a dividend policy of distributing 20–40% of net income.
Lufthansa will consolidate IT and digital units under a single Executive Board role, merging its Digital Hangar and Innovation & Tech Factory. Its customer loyalty programme Miles & More aims to increase membership by 50% by 2030, supported by new partnerships with Deutsche Bank and Marriott Bonvoy.
While Lufthansa’s focus is on growth, efficiency, and sustainability, the Group acknowledged that the transformation will also bring painful consequences for staff. By 2030, about 4,000 positions will be cut worldwide, most of them in Germany, to adapt to digitalisation and structural shifts.
With these measures, Lufthansa Group aims to deliver “sustainably attractive returns for shareholders” and secure its long-term position as Europe’s leading aviation group.