After the English carriersafter KLM, now it's Lufthansa's turn to announce a reduction in flights during the high summer season. The German company cites the shortage of airport staff - and certainly also its own staff - as a factor in delays and congestion.
According to the regional television channel Hessenschau - including Frankfurt, the heart of the Group's business Lufthansa -, 600 domestic and intra-European flights will be cancelled from the airline's main hub. Munich would also lose some 300 flights. However, these deletions frequency would not apply to intercontinental flights.
Weekends in July affected
In particular, the measure will apply to every weekend in July. In total, Lufthansa plans to cut 5% flights from its summer schedule. Subsidiaries Eurowings and Swiss will also be making cancellations.
Interviewed by Hessenschaua Lufthansa spokesperson explained that the airline " has its eye on the whole system. If things are left as they are, a cascade of delays could lead to massive flight cancellations with thousands of passengers stranded. We are therefore trying to present a slightly more flexible schedule system partners, to ensure that flights are processed correctly" .
20% less staff
According to Ralph Beisel, Managing Director of the German Airport Association ADV, a shortfall of around 20% in ground staff. This figure is based on the pre-Covid workforce. This would include service providers involved in passenger handling.
Lufthansa is also asking its passengers to help ensure that check-in runs smoothly. Passengers must arrive at the airport on time, and use online registration wherever possible and keep their hand luggage to a minimum. At German airports, passengers can also check in the night before. This facility is not available in France. But it is available at Geneva.
It is not yet known whether the measures taken in July will be continued in August, as Lufthansa does not wish to make any announcements at this time. The airline has not yet published the list of flights cancelled in July.
