Summer capacity deployed by Lufthansa Group airlines on non-long-haul routes is due to be almost back to pre-pandemic levels despite concerns over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The company expects capacity to increase to around 85% compared to the 2019 level.
The figure is projected to be as high as 95% on short- and medium-haul routes.
But the German-based airline combine warned: “Major uncertainties regarding the dramatic developments in Ukraine and the economic and geopolitical consequences of the conflict, as well as remaining uncertainties regarding the course of the pandemic, do not allow to provide a detailed financial outlook at present.”
The disclosure came as the group reported that annual operating losses had been cut by more than two-thirds last year.
The adjusted loss before restructuring costs of €581 million came in at €1.8 billion against €5.2 billion in 2020.
The group net income improved by 67% to give a loss of €2.2 billion against €6.7 billion in the previous year.
This came as total passenger numbers rose 29% year-on-year to 47 million and the number of flights operated increased by almost 18%.
However, the average offered capacity amounted to just 40% of the 2019 level capacity for the year, “in line with expectations,” the company said.
Staff numbers at the end of 2021 had been cut by more than 30,000 to 105,000 compared to the start of the Covid-19 crisis as costs were cut.
“After a challenging first quarter, which is still impacted by the spread of the Omicron variant, the Lufthansa Group expects a significant improvement in operating results in the following quarters, the company said.
Chief executive Carsten Spohr added: “2021, was a challenging year for the Lufthansa Group and its employees. And 2022 also begins with developments that worry us as citizens of this continent.
“Our airlines connect people, cultures and economies. We stand for international understanding and peace in Europe and around the world.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and with our colleagues on the ground, to whom we are providing every possible support.”
He added: “The Lufthansa Group used the past financial year to further renew itself. We have decisively and consistently advanced and implemented the transformation and restructuring of the company. Today, the Lufthansa Group is more efficient and more sustainable than before the pandemic.
“Even in the financially most difficult two years in our history, in which painful cuts were unavoidable, we acted in a socially responsible manner and sustainably secured 105,000 jobs.
“We are very certain that air traffic will experience a strong upswing this year.
“People want to travel. They seek and need personal contact – especially after two years of pandemic and the associated social restrictions. The pent up demand for leisure and business travel was already significantly noticeable in 2021 – and this trend is set to intensify in 2022.
“The coronavirus crisis has taken its toll on all of us. The pandemic presented our customers, shareholders and our employees with extreme challenges.
“We are now leaving the crisis behind us, mentally and – in view of the strong booking figures this year – also commercially and face the next challenge strengthened.”