Issue 2/2019

Dear Readers of the Lufthansa Policy Brief,

The German summer holidays are starting in a few weeks. We are looking forward to flying many thousands of holiday-makers, families and children to their destinations all over the world. We want to be reliable, especially in peak season. We are therefore investing a total of a quarter of a billion euros and taking over 400 individual measures to improve stability and punctuality. Evaluations of the first quarter make us cautiously optimistic. In February 2019 16 percent fewer flight cancellations were recorded across Europe than in the previous year, and as much as 35 percent in March. The real test in the summer months, however, is yet to come – especially with regards to air traffic control, which continues to suffer from capacity bottlenecks.

The predominant political theme is climate protection and sustainability. Aviation accounts for just under 3 percent of global CO₂ emissions. Even though this is a small contribution, it creates a responsibility to keep the impact of climate change as low as possible.  Especially as demand for flights continues to rise. The main way airlines can meet this challenge is by investing in modern, low-emission aircraft. In March, for example, we ordered 40 long-haul aircraft at a list price of around 12 billion US dollars. Compared with its predecessor models it uses around 25 percent less jet fuel. This amounts to around 500,000 tons of fuel per year – a saving that is equivalent to 5,800 flights with an A350-900 from Munich to New York.

We want to and will continue to invest in greater efficiency and sustainable air traffic. At the same time, we are committed to a policy that supports these efforts and addresses key issues like a global climate protection system, the development of CO₂-neutral fuels and routes without detours.

In the current Policy Brief we aim to inform you about these and other topics.

Contents

Climate protection

Measures for greater efficiency are working

Aviation accounts for less than 3 percent of global CO₂ emissions. The industry is working intensively on achieving greater efficiency and less kerosene consumption. Politicians are called on to strengthen the global climate protection system in aviation – there is no comparable agreement for any other industry. ...more

Air traffic control

Tackling punctuality problems across europe

The Lufthansa Group is hiring 600 new employees, increasing its reserve capacity to 37 short-haul aircraft and investing a total of around 250 million euros to improve punctuality in the summer. We expect similar commitment from our partners. Air traffic control in particular is called upon. ...more

Aircraft data

Who gets access – customers or monopolies?

Aircraft of the latest generation collect more than 1 terabyte of data on a daily basis. Evaluating these data helps airlines to offer even safer and more efficient air traffic. However, aircraft manufacturers are challenging the right to have free access to these data. ...more

Ticket sales

Finally creating more competition

For three decades, three global distribution systems (GDS) have dominated ticket sales between airlines and travel agencies. Whether Lufthansa, American Airlines or Air China, network airlines have only been able to sell airline tickets via third-party providers and travel agencies through the interposition of GDS providers. The airline industry has invested in alternatives. It is now banking on proper regulation at EU level. ...more

Short-haul flights

Indispensable for Germany’s aviation

In terms of passenger kilometers, domestic flights account for around 5 percent of German air traffic. Why is that still significant? ...more

Lounge

Flying to cure the fear of flying

Your muscles tense up, you start to feel claustrophobic, irrational fears plague your mind – that‘s how the fear of flying is often described. The Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany, has been conducting research into the efficient treatment of phobias for six years. In March 2019, Munster Airport asked it to carry out a study on 123 patients suffering from aviophobia or the fear of flying. A conversation with the project manager André Wannemüller. ...more

Telegram

Topic overview

New standard livery: Yes to europe!

Social commitment:

...more

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