Deutsche Lufthansa

Deutsche Lufthansa
Name	Deutsche Lufthansa
Founded	06 January 1953
Commenced	01 April 1955
Headquarters	Cologne
Key people	Carsten Spohr (CEO)
Hubs	Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport
Frequent flyer	Miles & More
Alliance	Star Alliance
Website	lufthansa.com

Deutsche Lufthansa. It is the flag carrier of Germany and, when combined with its subsidiaries, forms Europe's largest airline group. Founded in the post-war era, it has grown into a global aviation powerhouse and a founding member of the world's first major airline alliance. The company operates an extensive network from its primary hubs at Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport, connecting passengers to hundreds of destinations worldwide.

History

The airline was established on 6 January 1953 as *Aktiengesellschaft für Luftverkehrsbedarf* (Luftag), aiming to revive Germany's civil aviation after World War II. It acquired the name and logo of the pre-war Deutsche Luft Hansa and officially commenced operations on 1 April 1955 with a flight from Hamburg to Munich. A pivotal early achievement was the 1955 order for four Boeing 707 aircraft, marking the beginning of its jet age and transatlantic expansion to cities like New York City. The carrier played a central role in the 1997 formation of the Star Alliance alongside United Airlines and Air Canada. Significant growth continued through strategic acquisitions, including a majority stake in Swiss International Air Lines in 2005 and the full integration of Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines in the following years. The airline faced severe challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a major restructuring and a €9 billion stabilization package from the German government's Economic Stabilisation Fund.

Corporate affairs

The company is a joint-stock corporation (*Aktiengesellschaft*) headquartered in Cologne, with its main operational bases at Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport. The executive board is led by Chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr. It is a constituent of the DAX stock market index on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The airline group encompasses several major network carriers, including Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, operating under a multi-hub strategy. Its frequent-flyer program, Miles & More, is one of the largest in Europe. Key institutional shareholders include the German government via the Economic Stabilisation Fund and BlackRock.

Fleet

The airline operates one of the world's largest and most modern fleets, primarily consisting of aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Its long-haul operations are centered on the Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, and Boeing 747-8, with the latter famously known as the *Queen of the Skies*. For short- and medium-haul routes, the fleet is dominated by the Airbus A320 family, including the fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo. The company is a launch customer for the next-generation Boeing 777-9 and has placed significant orders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Its cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo, operates a dedicated fleet of Boeing 777F freighters.

Destinations and hubs

The airline's global route network spans over 200 destinations in more than 70 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Its primary global hubs are Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe's busiest airports by passenger traffic, and Munich Airport, a major secondary hub. Other significant connection points within the group include Zürich Airport for Swiss International Air Lines and Vienna International Airport for Austrian Airlines. Key intercontinental destinations include New York-JFK, Tokyo, Singapore, São Paulo, and Johannesburg. The airline holds a dominant market position at its home hubs, operating numerous daily flights to major European capitals like London, Paris, and Madrid.

Services and subsidiaries

Beyond its core passenger airline, the group comprises a vast portfolio of aviation service companies. Its passenger airline subsidiaries include the full-service carriers Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. The group also operates the leisure-focused Eurowings and the ultra-low-cost carrier Eurowings Discover. Specialist subsidiaries include the cargo airline Lufthansa Cargo, the maintenance, repair, and overhaul provider Lufthansa Technik, and the catering company LSG Group. The airline offers various travel classes, including First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy, with premium cabins featuring renowned services like the *First Class Terminal* in Frankfurt.

Accidents and incidents

The airline has experienced several significant accidents throughout its operational history. A major disaster occurred on 20 November 1974, when Lufthansa Flight 540, a Boeing 747-100, crashed during takeoff from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, resulting in 59 fatalities. Another tragic event was the crash of Lufthansa Flight 2904, an Airbus A320, at Warsaw Chopin Airport in 1993, which killed two people. In 1993, Lufthansa Flight 592 was hijacked and diverted to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The airline also faced the high-profile kidnapping of its Lufthansa Flight 181 in 1977 by the Red Army Faction, an event that culminated in a rescue operation by GSG 9 in Mogadishu.

Category:Airlines of Germany Category:Companies listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange Category:Star Alliance