German carrier Lufthansa continues to struggle with capacity shortages in 2025. The airline is facing delays from aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which is overcoming production challenges, as well as delays from cabin suppliers for its latest Allegris cabin. As a result, Lufthansa will not receive the expected number of 787-9s and the yet-to-be-certified 777X.
To brace for the peak summer travel season, the airline is implementing a series of changes, including schedule reduction, aircraft transfer and reactivation, and additional staffing, to ensure its operation goes as planned.
Service Reductions
Service cancellations and reductions across its network have been progressively implemented by the airline. From Frankfurt, flights to Chennai and Nairobi will see frequency reduction from daily to five weekly flights during the Northern summer season starting starting on March 30.
According to Aeroroutes, frequencies between Frankfurt and Shanghai will also be reduced from 14 to 10 weekly during the summer season. Capacity from its hub in Munich will also be cut, with flights to Sao Paulo and Johannesburg both being suspended for the summer season and flights to Seattle will operate three times a week, instead of daily.
Another way Lufthansa is easing its schedule is by transferring routes to its subsidiaries, a practice that has been fairly common in the Lufthansa Group. For instance, flights between Frankfurt and Minneapolis will be flown by Discover starting in May of this year, taking over from Lufthansa which launched the service in June 2024.
Keeping the Aging Fleet Flying
Lufthansa will also re-activate older aircraft and delay the retirement of aging four-engine types, such as the A340s and 747-400s. This comes at a cost, including the inevitable rise in maintenance expenses. As a result, the airline is keeping every fifth aircraft as a reserve.
All eight of Lufthansa’s A380s are expected to be ready in time for the summer season after D-AIMA returns from maintenance in Manila. Denver has been added as a new destination for the superjumbo jet, replacing the A350 and giving the airline a much-needed capacity boost. A total of six destinations will be flown by the A380s and two out of eight units will be kept on the ground as reserves, according to aerointernational.
Lufthansa is also transferring six A350s from its Munich hub to Frankfurt. These A350s are expected to fly to Shanghai, Seoul, and Seattle, according to the airline. These A350s will not feature to new Allegris cabin.
Lufthansa hopes that these adjustments, together with the additional staffing, will improve the airline’s reliability and on-time performance over the summer season.
