Germany's largest airline is in trouble.
Like most global carriers, Lufthansa has found itself bleeding money as its planes sit idle at airports across the country. The novel coronavirus has effectively crippled its core business which, as a flag carrier, including bringing people to and from Germany, a country under lockdown with its air borders largely closed.
Demand for Lufthansa's secondary focus, using its hub airports in Frankfurt and Munich as intercontinental connecting points, has also evaporated as few travelers venture outside their home countries for fear of contracting the virus or being stranded abroad.
Though initially believed to be financially sound in the event of a downturn, the unique circumstances created by the pandemic has been particularly detrimental to larger airlines, Lufthansa included. Business Insider Deutschland recently reported that the airline is losing $1 million per hour as its primary revenue earners are grounded with little ability to generate any income besides flying cargo.
The past few months have seen the airline operate some flights, typically flying empty to the furthest outposts of the world such as Christchurch, New Zealand, and bringing stranded Germans back home, as well freight operations on passenger aircraft. But the airline may now be dependent on its government for a lifeline.
Take a look back at the famed German airline.
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