Europe · Business news · Corporate · 04 Aug 2026
Lufthansa replaced its 2026 outlook on 4 August with a range of €1.7bn to €2.2bn for adjusted operating profit; it had previously guided to a result significantly above last year's €1.96bn. Second-quarter adjusted EBIT fell to €383m from €870m a year earlier as higher fuel costs tied to the US-Iran war outweighed better load factors and yields. The group puts its 2026 fuel bill at €8.66bn, has 86% of this year's fuel hedged, and plans to retire Airbus A340-600s early and ground two Boeing 747-400s from the winter schedule. Capacity was down about 3% in the quarter, partly because of strike days in April.
The report says fuel-price volatility is the main concern across European airlines and that British Airways owner IAG and Air France-KLM are also trimming capacity despite extensive hedging. The exposure is jet fuel, the largest variable cost, on the part not covered by hedges, set against how much of it can be passed into fares. Fewer flights and grounded long-haul aircraft also reach airports, ground handlers and maintenance providers through volumes. For refiners, the same kerosene prices are revenue.
Reported by The Star (Reuters) — “Lufthansa cuts profit outlook as Iran war drives up fuel costs” ↗ on 04 Aug 2026.
Official series on 04 Aug 2026 or the last day before it, and the latest observation.
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