Lufthansa to Cut 4,000 Jobs by 2030 in Major Restructuring Plan

The German airline’s strategic overhaul aims to automate roles and boost profitability amid industry pressures.

FRANKFURT — Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline group, announced Monday that it plans to eliminate 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 as part of a sweeping restructuring strategy to digitize and streamline operations. The move reflects mounting pressure on the aviation industry to cut costs while maintaining competitiveness in a volatile global market.

According to the company’s announcement made during its capital markets day in Munich, many of the targeted roles will be automated or merged into new digital functions. Lufthansa, which currently employs around 103,000 people, also revised its medium-term financial targets upward—projecting an operating margin of 8-10% of revenue, compared to prior goals of 8%.

While the airline outlined ambitious performance metrics, industry analysts note that the success of the plan hinges on execution, workforce retraining, and labor negotiations. Some caution that aggressive automations could provoke resistance from unions in Germany, where job security is a sensitive policy area.

Experts warn that if Lufthansa cannot balance cost cuts with employee transitions, its restructuring may face backlash and delays. However, if implemented smoothly, the plan could set a new standard for digital transformation across the airline industry.