Lufthansa Maintains 2025 Outlook Amid U.S. Trade Tensions

German airline Lufthansa confirmed its 2025 operating forecast on Tuesday, while warning it is closely monitoring potential risks from escalating trade tensions with the United States.

Despite global economic concerns and U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said the company remains "on course for growth" and is optimistic about the summer travel season. The airline is maintaining its positive outlook for 2025.

The caution follows U.S. carrier Delta’s withdrawal of its 2025 forecast earlier this month, citing trade-related demand pressures. Virgin Atlantic also reported a slowdown in U.S.-to-UK travel, while Air France-KLM is considering economy fare cuts to offset potential weakness in transatlantic demand.

The transatlantic corridor is vital for airlines like Lufthansa and British Airways owner IAG, supporting strong revenues. Lufthansa noted a 25% increase in March passenger traffic from the U.S. to Europe, reinforcing the route’s importance.

However, the airline has formed a task force to monitor developments and adjust capacity if needed. Lufthansa faces additional pressure to revive its core airline division, which is weighed down by labor disputes and rising wage costs, while also competing with Chinese carriers in Asia.

"Macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly trade tensions between the U.S., EU, and other regions, make forecasting future quarters difficult," Lufthansa said.

For the first quarter of 2025, Lufthansa posted an adjusted EBIT loss of €722 million ($822 million), aligning with prior forecasts.