Lufthansa long haul low-cost

Faced with intense competition from the Gulf carriers with flights to the east, Lufthansa is looking at ways of hitting back. 

It is now leaking plans to start operations of a new long haul low-cost carrier (LCC) for intercontinental and European services in autumn 2015, most likely from Munich and Düsseldorf or Cologne.

CEO Carsten Spohr told several German media outlets that Lufthansa will adopt a “low-risk and fast approach” for the proposed LCC.  The German carrier is looking for ways to increase profitability by tapping into new growth areas by refining its products and services.

Spohr previously said that the LCC will use seven aircraft, either Airbus A330s or Boeing 767-300s.  These aircraft could be transferred from Lufthansa Group airlines in exchange for new aircraft or from the aircraft market.

“The internal project name for the LCC long haul carrier is Intercont-Wings or Cont-Wings,” a Lufthansa spokesperson has also explained.

Lufthansa’s pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit is opposing the plan and is preparing a poll of its members to explore potential industrial action.   www.lufthansa.com

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