Lufthansa Group Reports 6% Rise in Third-Quarter Operating Profit, Lowers Full-Year Earnings Outlook

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 3, German airline group Lufthansa released its operating results for the third quarter of 2026. Quarterly revenue rose 9% year on year to approximately €12.2 billion, setting a record for single-quarter revenue for the group; adjusted EBIT increased 6% year on year to approximately €1.4 billion. Aviation fuel costs rose by €543 million year on year over the same period. Affected by rising fuel prices, the group lowered its full-year 2026 adjusted operating profit forecast from €1.7 billion to €2.2 billion to €1.7 billion to €2.0 billion.

In the third quarter, Lufthansa Group's adjusted EBIT was approximately €1.41 billion, compared with €1.33 billion a year earlier, above the group-compiled analyst average estimate of €1.37 billion. Group revenue increased from €11.2 billion a year earlier to €12.2 billion, with both the main airline business and the cargo and aviation maintenance businesses recording operating revenue growth.

The group's network airlines raised average passenger yield by 7% year on year in the third quarter, while the corresponding metric at Eurowings rose 8%. The group said demand for premium cabins and passenger demand on routes to Asia and North America remained strong. Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines all posted third-quarter results higher than a year earlier.

The network airline business achieved adjusted EBIT of €853 million in the third quarter, down €108 million year on year. Fuel expenses for the business rose by more than €400 million year on year, and unit costs excluding fuel and emissions charges increased 0.5% year on year. Deutsche Lufthansa AG also bore approximately €65 million in cost impact from strikes in the first half of the year.

Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik both posted third-quarter results significantly higher than a year earlier. The group controlled operating costs by reducing charges and other fees, cutting project spending, and advancing automation and digitalization measures, while lowering unit fixed costs through capacity utilization.

Lufthansa Group raised its full-year 2026 aviation fuel cost forecast to €9.3 billion, an increase of approximately €600 million from its previous forecast. The group expects full-year capacity growth to be broadly flat. Chief Financial Officer Till Streichert noted that the final full-year result still depends on fourth-quarter passenger demand, fuel costs and the performance of the Lufthansa Cargo business.