STORY: Lufthansa is projecting a 6% growth in long-haul flights next year.
That's according to the German carrier's CEO Carsten Spohr, who spoke to Reuters.
The airline's taking some transformative measures to boost profit margin growth to 8%-10% between 2028 and 2030.
Strategies include internationalizing business and building its intercontinental routes.
As well as receiving a new widebody plane bi-weekly - which Spohr expects will help further boost long-haul business.
"We've been able to shift our point of sales to almost 60% now coming from the US and only 40% from Europe, which used to be the other way around for many years. And it shows the strength of the US market and the interest in flying with European Airlines over to Europe."
Capacity growth will be more limited in shorter haul routes, he said, where it's seeking efficiencies instead.
Spohr added the airline will look to add more frequent flights on some of its core routes next year.
He further said routes will potentially be launched in 2027 using extra capacity from plane deliveries.
Airlines including Lufthansa have struggled with plane suppliers Boeing and Airbus.
"Well, what's limiting us is availability of aeroplanes, delayed delivery of aeroplanes. Think about the 777X, which we have been waiting for now for years and finally looking forward to receiving this winter. So at this point, we're looking at about 3 to 4% growth across the whole system. With most of it coming from long haul, again subject to the release of aeroplanes from Toulouse and Seattle."
With the new growth targets, Lufthansa is set to achieve about 98% of its pre-pandemic supply capacity.
Air France and IAG have already surpassed their pre-Covid levels this year.
Lufthansa's slower progress had been partly due to it now offering fewer short-haul trips after reducing domestic flights in Germany due to higher taxes and fees.
