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Group of German airlines Lufthansa He hopes that the new administration of the United States supports Boeing When overcoming the problems that have led to delivery in delivery throughout the industry, said Ceo Carsten Spohr on Thursday.
The company expects 2025 to begin to receive airplanes for which it has been “waiting for so long,” Spohr told Annette Weisbach from CNBC.
In results published on Thursday, Lufthansa reported An annual 39% drop in profits before interest and taxes (EBIT) to 1,645 billion euros ($ 1.78 billion), citing delivery delays, as well as personnel strikes and global price strikes. However, the profits exceed consensus estimates, which drives the shares of 13% higher for the afternoon, before the slightly reduced profits.
Lufthansa has 41 twin planes in the United States hoping to be delivered, said Spohr. Meanwhile, almost all the more than 240 planes in the order in the coming years will be affected by delays of some kind.
“Either due to supply chain problems within the production of the aircraft or due to certification problems, especially in the United States between Boeing and the (Federal Aviation Administration),” said Spohr.
“Then (we are) waiting for this to be overcome, perhaps also with some support for the new administration of the United States, (this) With luck, it will allow us to operate the most modern airplanes, which is for the advantage of our passengers, but also for the advantage of our shareholders due to the lowest costs. “
The shortage of aircraft and the need to keep in operation the oldest models have caused problems with additional costs of fuel and punctuality in the Lufthansa group, which includes the German flag carrier together with the low cost subsidiary Eurowings, Austria Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Ita Airways and Swiss International Air Lines.
The European Boeing rival Airbus It is too deal with supply chain problems They have been impacting airlines worldwide for years.
However, the manufacturing giant of the United States has also become a greater regulatory scrutiny after numerous security incidents that involve their planes, including Two fatal clashes and A burst at the door in flightas well as accusations of security shortcuts.
Transatlantic relationship ‘grow’
Spohr said that, despite the challenges, the airline group was confident that it could meet its prognosis of “significantly” higher earnings in 2025, largely due to the strength of the global demand of the airline.
While corporate demand has been recovered in part Since pandemic travel restrictions were built, growth is being driven by the demand for leisure even in the premium economy and commercial routes, he said.
Spohr also told CNBC that the North Atlantic trip was the spine of the Lufthansa long range and that, despite the “current discussions”, which include the threat of US tariffs on the European Union and President Donald Trump’s. Amazing relationships with Europe During trade and the war in Ukraine, the demand was growing.
“The transatlantic relationship is not only in touch, it is growing … now we see an impact so far (bass Trump), we see strong reserves outside the United States, but also strong reserves from Europe to the United States”
“Of course, tariffs will not support global trade, so we hope it can be avoided, but nevertheless, my optimism is partly promoted this year by a very strong transatlantic trip on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Another tail wind for the company can come from the increase in German fiscal spending, said Spohr, after German politics The parties agreed to try to reform the country’s long -standing debt rules, seen by many as a Change of potential game for the economy in difficulties.
“Any stimulus that helps the German economy will grow our business,” he said.
“I am optimistic. I think that the broad political spectrum realized that the German way of life cannot be maintained without a healthy economy. The big European companies must play our role investing in Germany, believing in Germany.”
