The Japan Times – Business

‘Mr. Lufthansa’ Taps Crisis Playbook to Tackle Costs and Union Battles

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr is leveraging his crisis‑management experience to improve margins, centralise the group and expand long‑haul capacity. After a 60% share‑price rise since early 2025, the airline posted its best punctuality in a decade with over 80% on‑time arrivals, but margins remain low at 4.4% in 2024. Spohr aims to lift margins to 8‑10% by 2030 while navigating costly union strikes that recently affected 100,000 passengers. Fleet renewal and new aircraft deliveries are central to cutting fuel and maintenance expenses.