Berlin:German air carrier Lufthansa Group has posted a record revenue of $13.6 billion for the third quarter, marking an increase of 9% compared to the same period last year. The company attributed this milestone to robust passenger demand and stringent cost management, which helped offset rising fuel costs.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Lufthansa Group's operating profit rose by 6% year-on-year to £1.4 billion ($1.57 billion) despite a significant surge in fuel expenses, which increased by £543 million due to elevated jet fuel prices driven by Middle East conflicts.
The airline's net income also saw a substantial increase, climbing by approximately £300 million to £1.3 billion. This growth was supported by an improved operating result, positive valuation effects, and a favorable tax base comparison. Carsten Spohr, chairman of the executive board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, highlighted the importance of maintaining high demand and strict cost discipline to counterbalance the increased fuel costs.
Lufthansa Group's network airlines managed to expand available seat capacity by 1.6% during the quarter, with average yields rising 6.8% due to strong demand for premium tickets and long-haul routes to North America and Asia. The unit costs at network airlines, excluding fuel and emissions expenses, saw a minimal increase of 0.5% year-on-year, thanks to reductions in administrative fees, project costs, and increased operational automation.
Despite challenges, the network airlines segment reported an adjusted EBIT of £853 million, a slight decrease from the previous year due to costs from earlier strikes and higher fuel bills. Meanwhile, Eurowings, a point-to-point carrier, reported a 10% increase in unit revenues, boosting its quarterly adjusted EBIT by £16 million to £214 million.
Lufthansa Technik experienced a 20% year-on-year revenue increase to £2.3 billion, with a 54% surge in operating profit driven by demand for aircraft maintenance services. Lufthansa Cargo also tripled its operating profit to £162 million, benefiting from a 22% rise in yields amid sustained high air freight demand due to Middle East disruptions.
Looking ahead, Lufthansa's Chief Financial Officer, Till Streichert, indicated that the group's fuel bill is expected to rise to £9.3 billion by 2026 due to geopolitical tensions. The airline group has revised its full-year 2026 adjusted EBIT forecast to between £1.7 billion and £2.0 billion, factoring in passenger fuel hedging ratios of 86% for 2026 and over 60% for 2027.