Lufthansa posts ‘rock-bottom’ 2009 figures

LUFTHANSA lost €112 million (US$152 million) in 2009, compared to a profit of €542 million ($734 million) in 2008. Operating profit fell 90 per cent to €130 million ($176 million) from €1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) in 2008. Revenues fell 10 per cent to €22.3 billion ($30.2 billion) compared to €24.8 billion ($33.6 billion) in 2008.

A more detailed report will be released on 11 March.

For the first time, earnings also included those of recently purchased Austrian Airlines and also bmi, which contributed €28 million ($37.9 million).

“The figures speak for themselves,” said Lufthansa chairman and chief executive officer Wolfgang Mayrhuber. “Whereas recent months have seen stabilisation of demand, revenues remain at rock-bottom.”