Lufthansa Seeks U.S. Support to Resolve Boeing Delivery Delays

Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr expressed optimism that the new U.S. administration will help Boeing resolve ongoing delivery delays that have severely affected the airline industry. These delays, stemming from safety concerns and regulatory scrutiny, have led to significant operational challenges for Lufthansa, which has a fleet with an average aircraft age of 14 years and over 240 jets on order, nearly all of which are now delayed. Despite a 39% drop in earnings due to these disruptions, Lufthansa's financial results exceeded market expectations, leading to a boost in its stock price. Spohr hopes that with support from the U.S. government, Boeing will overcome supply chain and certification issues, allowing Lufthansa to modernize its fleet. The airline is also dealing with the impact of staff strikes and global price pressures. Meanwhile, Airbus is similarly facing production challenges, highlighting widespread issues within the aviation manufacturing sector.