Lufthansa’s net profit increased 30% year on year to €1.26 billion in the third quarter, as strong demand for flights and control of other costs helped the German airline group absorb a sharp rise in fuel expenses. Revenue reached a record €12.2 billion, up 9% from the same period a year earlier.
The group said demand was particularly strong for premium tickets and routes to Asia and North America. Between July and September, its energy bill rose by more than €500 million, but Lufthansa said higher demand and savings elsewhere helped offset the increase.
Lufthansa now expects its 2026 fuel bill to total €9.3 billion, €2 billion more than in 2025 and €600 million above its estimate from the previous quarter. Chief Financial Officer Till Streichert attributed the revised estimate to the unchanged geopolitical situation and the resulting rise in fuel costs.
The company has narrowed its 2026 operating-profit forecast to between €1.7 billion and €2 billion, from a previous range of €1.7 billion to €2.2 billion. Streichert said the final result would depend on fuel costs, demand and, in particular, the fourth-quarter performance of Lufthansa Cargo.
The third-quarter profit increase also reflected positive valuation effects and the absence of an adverse tax impact that had affected the same period last year, Lufthansa said.
Sources: Le Figaro.