By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
German airline giant Lufthansa has announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs by 2030, citing economic headwinds and structural changes within the aviation industry.
The cuts, representing nearly four percent of its 103,000-strong workforce, will primarily affect administrative roles in Germany rather than frontline operational staff.
Lufthansa said the move is part of efforts to streamline operations and adapt to technological advances.
The group, which also owns Eurowings, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels Airlines and the recently acquired ITA Airways of Italy, is restructuring to remain competitive.
Germany is currently grappling with a second consecutive year of recession, marked by its highest unemployment rate in a decade. Companies across the country have been struggling with rising energy costs, strong competition from China, and slow adoption of digital technologies.
Lufthansa’s decision follows a similar announcement by German industrial powerhouse Bosch, which revealed last week that it would cut 13,000 jobs globally.
“The Lufthansa Group is reviewing which activities will no longer be necessary in the future, for example due to duplication of work,” the airline said in a statement. “In particular, the profound changes brought about by digitalisation and the increased use of artificial intelligence will lead to greater efficiency in many areas and processes”.
Looking ahead, Lufthansa has set financial targets for 2028–2030, aiming for an adjusted operating margin of 8 to 10 percent.
AFP
