Revenue rose by 5 percent compared with the previous year to 39.6 billion euros (previous year: 37.6 billion euros).
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The Group significantly increased its operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) to 2 billion euros (previous year: 1.6 billion euros). As a result, the operating margin improved to 4.9 percent (previous year: 4.4 percent). At 1.3 billion euros, consolidated net income remained at the previous year’s level (previous year: 1.4 billion euros) as it was affected by valuation effects on loss carry forwards. Excluding this effect, Net Income would have increased in line with the operating result.
The capacity offered in the passenger airline business increased by four percent last year, while the seat load factor remained constant. In addition, the continuous stabilization of flight operations resulted in substantially lower expenses for flight irregularities (362 million euros less compared to 2024), which had a positive effect on both operating profit and customer satisfaction. The increase in Adjusted EBIT was also supported by the guests’ continued high willingness to pay for ancillary services. This generated additional revenue, particularly through the premium product Lufthansa Allegris. In addition, lower kerosene prices and a weak US dollar led to cost savings of 500 million euros compared with the previous year.
Passenger airlines earnings
The airlines of the Lufthansa Group welcomed 135 million guests on board their aircraft last year, an increase of three percent compared with the previous year.
The seat load factor once again reached a record level of 83.2 percent (previous year: 83.1 percent). Revenue of the passenger airlines increased by three percent year-on-year to 30.1 billion euros. Combined, they generated an operating profit (Adjusted EBIT) of 1.1 billion euros – four percent above the previous year. ITA Airways made a positive contribution to earnings of 90 million euros.
This increase in earnings was achieved in an extremely challenging environment. The situation in the Middle East and other geopolitical tensions, temporary demand weakness in the third quarter, particularly on the North Atlantic and in Europe, and ongoing delays in the delivery of new aircraft required a high degree of flexibility from all airlines. As a result, yields came under pressure and fell by 1.3 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year on a currency-adjusted basis.
The Lufthansa Airlines Turnaround-program will also contribute to a sustainable increase in earnings in 2026. A cumulative gross earnings effect of around 1.5 billion euros is expected for the current year, rising to around 2.5 billion euros by 2028.
The main drivers for increased profitability at Lufthansa Airlines are the modernization of the fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft such as the Boeing 787, the continuing growth of Lufthansa City Airlines and Discover Airlines, as well as around 700 other individual measures, more than half of which are expected to be implemented by the end of 2026.
Lufthansa Group fleet modernization
In 2026, a new aircraft will be delivered on average nearly every week, and by the end of the year, new generation aircraft will amount to around 30 percent of the fleet. The capacity growth of the passenger airlines will focus almost exclusively on long-haul routes, while the capacity on short-haul routes is expected to remain stable, partly driven by a more efficient alignment of the hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome.