Lufthansa Group increased third-quarter revenue by 9% to €12.2 billion and adjusted EBIT by 6% to €1.407 billion, as strong passenger demand and earnings growth at Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik outweighed a €543 million year-on-year rise in fuel costs. The adjusted operating margin slipped to 11.5% from 11.9%. The group narrowed its 2026 adjusted EBIT forecast to €1.7 billion–€2.0 billion and expects a €9.3 billion fuel bill.
Lufthansa Cargo tripled adjusted EBIT to €162 million, while traffic volume rose 7% and yields increased 22%. Lufthansa Technik’s adjusted EBIT climbed 54% to €200 million on revenue growth of 20% to €2.3 billion, driven mainly by business with external customers.
The group’s network airlines recorded adjusted EBIT of €853 million, down €108 million year on year. Lufthansa Airlines also incurred about €65 million in strike-related costs. SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines each exceeded their prior-year results, while Eurowings increased adjusted EBIT by €16 million to €214 million.
Passenger demand remained firm, particularly for premium travel and services to Asia and North America. Lufthansa linked the higher fuel costs to the Middle East conflict. Fourth-quarter demand and fuel prices will affect full-year earnings, with Cargo’s performance a particular factor in where the result falls within the revised forecast range.