Lufthansa News

Bloomberg

High activity

Lufthansa and Air France-KLM submit binding bids for TAP Air Portugal 44.9% minority stake in Portugal’s privatization

Portugal’s state investment company Parpública is selling a 44.9% minority stake in TAP Air Portugal as part of a reprivatization process. Lufthansa Group and Air France-KLM have both entered the race with formal, binding offers, positioning TAP to strengthen Lisbon’s hub and Europe–Latin America and trans-Atlantic routes.

FlightGlobal

High activity

Argus expects continuing fractional/biz-aviation growth; Airbus and European carriers report H1/Q2 results as Frontier cites str

Argus forecasts business aviation and fractional operations to be up in all months in the second half except September, while Airbus reported €2.2 billion H1 2026 net profit on a 12% rise in revenue and 351 commercial aircraft deliveries. In parallel, Frontier pointed to higher fares and easing competition after Spirit’s exit, and Europe’s airline groups warned fuel-price pressure could erode summer gains.

FlightGlobal

High activity

Saudia Cargo expands freight reach via Riyadh Cargo interline and a new Riyadh–Melbourne freighter service

Saudia Cargo and Riyadh Cargo have signed an interline agreement to give freight forwarders and logistics partners broader network access, enhanced routing options, and improved cargo connectivity through Saudi Arabia. In parallel, Saudia Cargo has launched a scheduled Riyadh–Melbourne freighter route to extend its international cargo network.

Runway Girl

Boeing 787 for Lufthansa to fly as ecoDemonstrator for fuel-efficiency and noise-reduction tests

A new Boeing 787 scheduled for delivery to Lufthansa will first be used as Boeing’s latest ecoDemonstrator, running flight tests aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing noise emissions. The aircraft will transition from demonstration activities to its planned role with Lufthansa following the program.

AINonline

High activity

Boeing, Lufthansa and Rolls-Royce to run 2026 ecoDemonstrator 787 flight trials for fuel savings and noise reduction

Boeing has brought Lufthansa and Rolls-Royce closer for its next ecoDemonstrator campaign, centering much of the effort on reducing aircraft noise. Flight trials on the ecoDemonstrator 787 will assess advanced engine inlet designs and optimized flight paths to improve efficiency while lowering noise signatures.

ch-aviation

High activity

airBaltic seeks bridge funding from bondholders as cash pressures mount; Lufthansa confirms wet-lease partnership

Latvia’s state-backed airBaltic is exploring short-term bridge financing with its existing bondholders while it reviews its capital structure, Reuters reported. One report says the airline may need up to $170mn. Separately, Lufthansa Group said it remains engaged on the wet-lease partnership with airBaltic despite the financing review.

FlightGlobal

High activity

Boeing, Lufthansa and Rolls-Royce to flight-test 787-9 ecoDemonstrator fuel and noise technologies with Trent 1000

Boeing, Lufthansa and Rolls-Royce will begin flight tests later this month on a Boeing 787-9 ecoDemonstrator, using a Lufthansa-bound aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The Glasgow, Montana trials will evaluate fuel-saving and noise-reduction concepts, including a revised engine inlet and related operational technologies.

AeroTime

High activity

Brussels Airlines CEO transition: ITA Airways board member Lorenza Maggio to replace departing Dorothea von Boxberg

Brussels Airlines said CEO Dorothea von Boxberg will step down in August and be replaced by Lorenza Maggio, an ITA Airways board member and the carrier’s chief strategy and integration officer. The change positions Maggio to lead the Lufthansa Group’s Belgian operation at a key integration and strategy phase.