Luthansa and Swiss buck trend, increase passenger performance in 2008

More than 70 million passengers flew with Lufthansa and Swiss during the year

Lufthansa bucked the down trend in the industry and carried more passengers in 2008 than in the previous year.

In the twelve months from January through December 2008, number of passengers increased by 1.2 per cent over 2007, to about 57 million. Capacity was raised by 4.9 per cent. Revenue passenger-kilometres (RPKs) rose by 3.5 per cent, but passenger load factors declined 1.1 per cent to 78.6 per cent.

Swiss carried 13 million passengers. When combined with parent, Lufthansa adds up to more than 70 million passengers total, an increase of 12.2 per cent. The total number of flights increased by 10.9 per cent to 830,819.

The global economic slowdown had a deep impact on Lufthansa Cargo which transported 1.7 million tonnes or 6 per cent less cargo and mail over the previous year. The cargo load factor also fell by 3.2 per cent to 65.8 per cent.

The financial results of the Lufthansa Group in the 2008 business year will be published on 11 March 2009.