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Eurowings cuts winter flights and considers short-time work

Eurowings plans to reduce its winter flight offering by about 5 per cent and is discussing short-time work with Germany’s employment agency. The Lufthansa subsidiary points to a fuel bill almost 250 million euros above its plan. Newly launched Dubai routes face cancellation, while the union wants a say in any short-time work arrangement.

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A parked white passenger aircraft seen from the rear quarter on a spacious apron representing a German airport.

Winter flight cuts accompany short-time work talks

Eurowings, the airline within Germany’s Lufthansa group, is cutting flights and considering short-time work for its flight operations. The plans concern the winter period. Employees were informed in writing during the week, as the airline sought ways to reduce spending under pressure from higher jet fuel costs.[1], [2]

German public broadcaster ARD’s tagesschau service says the airline is already discussing short-time work with Germany’s Federal Employment Agency. A company spokesperson confirmed the flight reductions. Eurowings did not say how many employees could be affected. The talks therefore accompany the schedule changes without an announced headcount for a possible short-time work scheme.[1]

If introduced, short-time work would be the first such arrangement at Eurowings since the coronavirus pandemic. The airline is considering the option for its flight operations.[2]

Dubai routes are among the planned reductions

The airline plans to trim its winter flight offering by about 5 per cent. Recently introduced services from Cologne and Stuttgart in Germany to Dubai are among the cuts. Other reductions are expected mainly in individual services rather than through the cancellation of entire routes.[1]

In its letter to employees, management attributed higher kerosene prices to the Iran war. It estimated that this year’s fuel bill would exceed the original plan by almost 250 million euros. Management also expected the gap between revenue and expenditure to widen during the traditionally difficult winter months.[1]

Union seeks additional payments for staff

Germany’s service workers’ union ver.di wants a role in designing any short-time work arrangement. It is seeking supplements to payments by the employment agency, pointing to Lufthansa’s continuing profits. Other savings include cancelling an internal Christmas celebration. Eurowings also plans to remove around 100 administrative positions by the end of 2028.[1]

References

  1. News sourcetagesschau.de (ARD)Eurowings cuts winter flights and considers short-time work↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5
  2. News sourceDer SpiegelEurowings considers short-time work as it cuts flights↩1↩2
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