MINNEAPOLIS- German flag carrier Lufthansa (LH) has disclosed the termination of its direct service between Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) and Frankfurt (FRA) effective April 29, 2025.
The airline will transfer this route to its low-cost subsidiary, Discover Airlines (4Y), marking a significant shift in its Midwestern operations.
Lufthansa Frankfurt to Minneapolis
The German carrier’s entry into Minneapolis-St. Paul marked a notable breakthrough, establishing itself as the first major international airline to challenge Delta Air Lines (DL) dominance in this Midwestern hub. However, this strategic expansion will conclude before completing its first year of operation.
Lufthansa told Thrifty Flyer that aircraft availability constraints are the primary factor behind this decision, acknowledging insufficient fleet capacity to maintain full trans-Atlantic operations.
The airline has communicated plans to resume direct flights between Germany and Minnesota in fall 2026, according to Minneapolis airport officials.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium reports the route achieved an impressive 83% occupancy rate through July since its June launch.
What is the Reason for this Cuts?
Lufthansa faces significant aircraft delivery delays from both Airbus and Boeing manufacturers, affecting its Boeing 787-9 operations on the Minneapolis route. The airline maintains its other 20-plus North American routes, including the new Raleigh service, while adjusting Minneapolis operations.
Lufthansa operates a diverse fleet of 321 aircraft. But only have five 787-9 Dreamliners. Also, it has 27 Airbus A350s which also serves some of the US routes from Munich (MUC). So Lufthansa clearly lacks new modern and long-haul planes in its fleet.
According to an Aviation A2Z source, many 787s are awaiting pre-flight tests before they can be delivered to Lufthansa.
Discover Airlines will assume year-round nonstop service between Minneapolis and Frankfurt after Lufthansa’s departure in April 2025. Condor Airlines (DE) continues its seasonal service on this route, maintaining international connectivity for Minneapolis travelers.
The transition to Discover Airlines represents a service downgrade, particularly in business class accommodations. Discover’s 2-2-2 configuration business class layout offers lie-flat seats but lacks direct aisle access, contrasting with Lufthansa’s superior 787 business class arrangement.
Third-Quarter Report
Lufthansa Group’s third-quarter operating profit dropped 9% to 1.3 billion euros ($1.41 billion), meeting analyst expectations but revealing significant challenges for the German carrier. CEO Carsten Spohr attributes the decline to aircraft delivery delays, punctuality issues at German hubs, and regulatory disadvantages affecting the core brand.
The airline’s passenger division, encompassing Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Swiss International, and Eurowings, recorded an operating profit of 1.2 billion euros, down from 1.4 billion euros year-over-year. Lufthansa Airlines experienced the most significant impact with a 234 million euro decline in performance.
The traditionally strong summer travel quarter faced unprecedented pressures from rising operational costs, Middle East crisis uncertainties, and continued aircraft delivery disruptions. Analysts note that slower corporate travel recovery has further impacted the airline’s financial performance.
Lufthansa Group has initiated a comprehensive turnaround program targeting its core brand operations following multiple profit warnings this year. CEO Carsten Spohr projects stable or increasing ticket prices and sustained booking demand for 2024.
The airline expects cost-cutting measures to generate 1.5 billion euros in gross operating profit by 2026. Lufthansa maintains its full-year operating profit forecast between 1.4 billion and 1.8 billion euros, holding the firm to its mid-term 8% operating profit margin target.
Financial analysts project a 4.3% profit margin for 2024, expressing skepticism about achieving the 8% target by 2026.
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