Lufthansa is set to cancel more than 30,000 flights from its original summer 2023 schedule, according to reports in Germany.
The airline is planning to reduce its schedule by some 34,000 flights this summer, according to German business newspaper WirtschaftsWoche, due to continuing staff shortages in the aviation industry.
A Lufthansa spokesperson did not confirm the number of cancellations but said the airline was “adjusting its flight schedule for summer”.
“The reason for the early adjustments is to avoid the major operational problems of summer 2022,” they added. “With the experiences of the past summer, it was already decided last year to constantly review the performance of the overall system together with all partners.”

The airline industry continues to suffer from staffing “bottlenecks” which have “not yet been completely overcome”, added Lufthansa.

“For this reason, flights for the summer months have already been cancelled – well in advance. This will enable our passengers to adjust their travel plans in line with the alternatives offered by the Lufthansa Group,” said the spokesperson.

The latest move comes after Lufthansa was forced to cancel all flights from Frankfurt and Munich last Friday (17 February) due a strike at German airports by the Ver.di trade union. The airline had to cancel more than 1,300 services at the affected airports.

African vendors have recorded a 90.five according to cent passenger visitors surge in September, in comparison to a 12 months in the past, as international tour recuperation is still sturdy.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) introduced passenger facts for September 2022 displaying a international visitors upward push of fifty seven according to cent in comparison to September 2021. Globally, visitors is now at 73.eight according to cent of September 2019 levels.

African airways` capability changed into up 47.2 according to cent and the weight component climbed 16.7 percent factors to 73.6 according to cent, the bottom amongst areas.

IATA`s Director General, Willie Walsh, stated regardless of financial and geopolitical uncertainties, the call for for air shipping keeps to get better ground.

“The outlier continues to be China with its pursuit of a 0 COVID-19 strategy, retaining borders in large part closed and developing a call for curler coaster experience for its home market, with September being right all the way down to 46.four according to cent at the preceding 12 months.

“That is in sharp evaluation to the relaxation of Asia-Pacific, which, regardless of China`s dismal performance, published a 464.eight according to cent growth for worldwide visitors in comparison to the 12 months-in the past period,” Walsh stated.

Indeed, Asia-Pacific airways noticed a 464.eight according to cent upward push in September visitors in comparison to September 2021, the most powerful 12 months-over-12 months price most of the areas. Capacity rose 165.three according to cent and the weight component changed into up 41.five percent factors to 78.three according to cent.

European vendors` September visitors climbed 78.three according to cent as opposed to September 2021. Capacity accelerated 43.eight according to cent, and cargo component moved up 16.three percent factors to 84.1 according to cent, 2nd maximum most of the areas.

Middle Eastern airways published a 149.7 according to cent visitors upward push in September in comparison to September 2021. September capability accelerated 63.five according to cent as opposed to the 12 months-in the past period, and the weight component climbed 27.6 percent factors to 80.zero according to cent.

North American vendors had a 128.nine according to cent visitors upward push in September as opposed to the 2021 period. Capacity accelerated 63.zero according to cent, and cargo component climbed 24.6 percent factors to 85.four according to cent, which changed into the best most of the areas for a fourth consecutive month.

Walsh stated sturdy call for is supporting the enterprise address sky-excessive gasoline prices. “To help that call for withinside the long-term, we want to take note of what visitors are telling us. After almost 3 years of pandemic tour complexity, IATA`s 2022 Global Passenger Survey (GPS) indicates that visitors need simplification and convenience.

“Thats an vital message for airways however additionally for airports and governments. They very own a few of the facilitation methods that permit passengers down at a few key airports over this 12 monthss northern summer time season tour season.

According to the GPS, a majority of passengers need to apply biometric facts in preference to passports for border methods. And ninety three according to cent of passengers are interested by depended on traveler programmes to expedite safety screening. Modernizing the facilitation enjoy will now no longer most effective assist alleviate the choke factors, it’s going to create a higher enjoy for all,” Walsh stated.