Over Nine-Hundred Short-Haul Trips Nixed 

Deutsche Lufthansa—the German flag-carrier and second-largest European airline—has canceled hundreds of summer flights due to staff shortages.

The move underscores the challenges facing European air-carriers as the airline industry struggles to recover from the coronavirus crisis. 

Lufthansa did away with approximately nine-hundred domestic and European short-haul trips scheduled in July, including those at its namesake and Eurowings budget brands. The canceled flights, which were to take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, represent about five-percent of the airline’s typical weekend capacity. 

In an email statement, a Lufthansa representative said of the cancellations: “The entire aviation industry, especially in Europe, is currently suffering from bottlenecks and staff shortages … This applies to airports, ground handling services, air traffic control, and also airlines.”  

European airlines are hurrying to add seats and flights as demand soars following the dropping of COVID-motivated travel restrictions and two years of needless socioeconomic upheaval. Lufthansa had planned to set 2022 capacity at 75% of 2019 levels—a 70% increase over COVID era capacity projections. 

Still, as the COVID threat recedes, labor market aftershocks are shaking Lufthansa’s summer plans. Airports, airlines, and ground handling organizations that slashed jobs during the crisis are now hard-pressed to rehire qualified personnel. 

Lufthansa’s difficulties may be compounded by difficulties at the Frankfurt Airport, which serves as the carrier’s home hub. 

Fraport AG—the entity that operates the Frankfurt Airport—has warned that staff-shortages will likely give rise to major delays in the coming months.  

In addition to its own fleet, administration and maintenance facilities, training centers, and pilot academy, Lufthansa owns subsidiary passenger airlines: Austrian Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. The company also owns several aviation-related concerns, such as Lufthansa Technik, and LSG Sky Chefs. In total, the Lufthansa family of companies operates over seven-hundred aircraft—one of the largest airline fleets in the world. 

FMI: www.lufthansa.com/us/en/homepage