London – Lufthansa has announced a stronger-than-anticipated performance for the 2025 fiscal year, driven by stringent cost controls and strategic fleet modernisation. However, the airline giant cautioned that the outlook for 2026 remains uncertain, clouded by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The German aviation group reported an adjusted operating profit of €2 billion (£1.72 billion), exceeding the €1.9 billion forecast derived from an analyst poll compiled by Lufthansa itself. This marks a significant increase from the €1.6 billion adjusted operating profit reported in 2024.
Furthermore, Lufthansa’s operating profit margin climbed to 4.9%, a notable improvement from the 4.4% recorded in the previous year. The airline has publicly stated its ambition to restore operating margins to the 8-10% range between 2028 and 2030, a target made more difficult by disruptive industrial action, such as the strike experienced on February 12th. These events have hampered the company’s ability to offset profit losses.
Looking ahead, Lufthansa anticipates a capacity increase of 4% for 2026, alongside growth in both revenue and profit margin. However, the airline stressed that prevailing geopolitical instability casts a shadow over these projections.
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (Projected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted Operating Profit (€) | 1.6B | 2.0B | N/A |
| Operating Profit Margin (%) | 4.4% | 4.9% | Growth Anticipated |
| Capacity Growth | N/A | N/A | 4% |
