Strikes have caused Lufthansa to lose €250 million this year, the group’s chief financial officer Remco Steenbergen estimates. Reuters reported today.
Strikes meant losses of customers as well
“Due to numerous strikes – especially at Lufthansa airlines – we not only lost capacity for our customers in the first quarter, but also a triple-digit amount in millions of euros,” Steenbergen said in a statement to employees.
In addition to direct losses of 100 million euros, there were also losses in passenger bookings and air travel orders as customers shunned the airline due to uncertainty over the strikes. “No one can earn back around €250 million so simply,” said the group’s finance director.
Higher wages debate may soon be in process
Lufthansa ground staff went on strike twice last month at major airports, affecting 100,000 passengers, according to Lufthansa. In March, cabin crew and air security staff went on strike at several airports.
Starting next Monday, Lufthansa and the Verdi union will try to reach an agreement in the dispute over higher wages for ground staff through arbitration.
Source: Czech Press Office
