http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Fri, 24 May 2013 13:29:49 +0200 Fri, 24 May 2013 13:29:49 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-worker-strike-grounds-almost-all-flights-a-895754.html#ref=rss Lufthansa cancelled most of its flights on Monday due to a strike by ground and cabin crew aimed at pressuring the airline in an ongoing wage dispute. The German national carrier called the measure "excessive" and "unprecedented." Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-worker-strike-grounds-almost-all-flights-a-895754.html Lufthansa cancelled most of its flights on Monday due to a strike by ground and cabin crew aimed at pressuring the airline in an ongoing wage dispute. The German national carrier called the measure "excessive" and "unprecedented."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-risks-losing-passengers-with-budget-airline-revamp-a-894476.html#ref=rss Lufthansa will soon be called Germanwings, at least on some routes. The German national carrier is shifting unprofitable short-haul flights that don't serve its Frankfurt or Munich hubs to its budget subsidiary in order to cut costs -- and risks alienating its customers in the process. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-risks-losing-passengers-with-budget-airline-revamp-a-894476.html Lufthansa will soon be called Germanwings, at least on some routes. The German national carrier is shifting unprofitable short-haul flights that don't serve its Frankfurt or Munich hubs to its budget subsidiary in order to cut costs -- and risks alienating its customers in the process. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cancels-hundreds-of-flights-in-germany-due-to-strikes-a-890155.html#ref=rss Lufthansa's far-reaching cost-cutting plans once again resulted in broad strikes on Thursday morning, affecting several of Germany's largest airports. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and the union which called the walkout is not expecting a deal any time soon. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:29:32 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cancels-hundreds-of-flights-in-germany-due-to-strikes-a-890155.html Lufthansa's far-reaching cost-cutting plans once again resulted in broad strikes on Thursday morning, affecting several of Germany's largest airports. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and the union which called the walkout is not expecting a deal any time soon.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/reports-of-safety-problems-at-german-airlines-prompt-action-a-860044.html#ref=rss Just how dangerous is flying in Germany? Airlines often fail to report safety issues and, according to a pilots' union spokesman, air quality incidents inside jet cabins are commonplace. Now Germany's transport minister has demanded that the European Union come up with a unified approach to the problem. Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:46:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/reports-of-safety-problems-at-german-airlines-prompt-action-a-860044.html Just how dangerous is flying in Germany? Airlines often fail to report safety issues and, according to a pilots' union spokesman, air quality incidents inside jet cabins are commonplace. Now Germany's transport minister has demanded that the European Union come up with a unified approach to the problem.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cost-cutting-strategy-backfires-with-cabin-crew-strike-a-855250.html#ref=rss The anger that fueled last week's strike by Lufthansa cabin crew members caught the company off guard. The airline wants to reduce its relatively high personnel costs, but appears to misunderstand how certain efforts to do so have alienated their employees. Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cost-cutting-strategy-backfires-with-cabin-crew-strike-a-855250.html The anger that fueled last week's strike by Lufthansa cabin crew members caught the company off guard. The airline wants to reduce its relatively high personnel costs, but appears to misunderstand how certain efforts to do so have alienated their employees. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cabin-crew-strike-grounds-50-percent-of-lufthansa-flights-in-germany-a-854485.html#ref=rss The latest in a series of cabin crew strikes forced German flagship airline Lufthansa to cancel about half of its flights on Friday, marking a "dark day" for customers, a spokesman said. But the bitter labor dispute may be resolved soon, with both the union and the airline signaling they are ready to resume talks. Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:15:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cabin-crew-strike-grounds-50-percent-of-lufthansa-flights-in-germany-a-854485.html The latest in a series of cabin crew strikes forced German flagship airline Lufthansa to cancel about half of its flights on Friday, marking a "dark day" for customers, a spokesman said. But the bitter labor dispute may be resolved soon, with both the union and the airline signaling they are ready to resume talks.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cancels-1200-flights-on-friday-as-flight-attendants-strike-a-854255.html#ref=rss A planned nationwide strike by the union representing most of Lufthansa's flight attendants has forced the airline to cancel some 1,200 flights going into the weekend. Trans-Atlantic flights have likewise been affected. Chances that a last-minute compromise will avert the strike are considered slim. Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cancels-1200-flights-on-friday-as-flight-attendants-strike-a-854255.html A planned nationwide strike by the union representing most of Lufthansa's flight attendants has forced the airline to cancel some 1,200 flights going into the weekend. Trans-Atlantic flights have likewise been affected. Chances that a last-minute compromise will avert the strike are considered slim.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-cabin-crews-strike-at-three-german-airports-a-853659.html#ref=rss Lufthansa flight attendants held strikes at three major German airports on Tuesday to protest against cost-cutting measures, resulting in the cancellation of over 300 flights. But the industrial action may be just getting started. Labor disputes with pilots and ground crews could follow. Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-cabin-crews-strike-at-three-german-airports-a-853659.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/frankfurt-airport-ceased-taking-flights-friday-following-strike-chaos-a-853208.html#ref=rss Lufthansa flight attendants walked off the job for eight hours on Friday resulting in over 200 flight cancellations and a temporary ban on incoming flights into Germany's biggest airport. The labor dispute will likely result in more strikes soon. Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:40:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/frankfurt-airport-ceased-taking-flights-friday-following-strike-chaos-a-853208.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/press-review-on-the-threat-of-strike-at-german-lufthansa-airline-a-852752.html#ref=rss Flight crew at Lufthansa vowed to strike this week over the collapse of wage talks as the company struggles to regain profitability on its European routes. Germany's flag carrier airline has little choice but to push through massive cost cuts, say commentators, and its employees must be willing to contribute their share. Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/press-review-on-the-threat-of-strike-at-german-lufthansa-airline-a-852752.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-berlin-airport-won-t-open-until-march-17-2003-a-833692.html#ref=rss The mayor of Berlin has confirmed that the city's new international airport will not open until March 17, 2013, nine months after its planned June opening. The operators need additional time to complete a fire safety system. Thu, 17 May 2012 16:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/new-berlin-airport-won-t-open-until-march-17-2003-a-833692.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/restructuring-plans-further-along-than-thought-for-german-airline-lufthansa-a-832089.html#ref=rss CEO Christoph Franz at Lufthansa has alarmed employees in recent days with  radical plans for cost-cutting at the German national airline. He wants to combine the airline's low-cost subsidiary Germanwings and large portions of its European flights. The move is intended to reduce costs, but not fares -- and it could be the customers who lose out. Wed, 09 May 2012 14:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/restructuring-plans-further-along-than-thought-for-german-airline-lufthansa-a-832089.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-announces-3-500-jobs-cuts-as-part-of-restructuring-a-830946.html#ref=rss The CEO of German flag carrier airline Lufthansa has been forced to make cuts in the face of growing losses. With the restructuring, Christoph Franz is dismantling the legacy of the company's former CEO and future supervisory board chairman. Is he steering directly into a conflict? Thu, 03 May 2012 12:17:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-announces-3-500-jobs-cuts-as-part-of-restructuring-a-830946.html The CEO of German flag carrier airline Lufthansa has been forced to make cuts in the face of growing losses. With the restructuring, Christoph Franz is dismantling the legacy of the company's former CEO and future supervisory board chairman. Is he steering directly into a conflict?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/interview-with-transport-minister-ramsauer-a-826206.html#ref=rss A German federal court recently upheld a ban on night flights at Frankfurt Airport, Germany's busiest airport and a major European hub. In a SPIEGEL interview, German Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer brushes off claims that the ban will hurt Germany's attractiveness as a business location. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/interview-with-transport-minister-ramsauer-a-826206.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/frankfurt-airport-strike-expands-transport-minister-warns-of-disastrous-consequences-a-818058.html#ref=rss With German union GdF slated to expand its strike on Wednesday at Frankfurt Airport, Europe's third largest, air transport could be massively disrupted in Germany and possibly globally. The airport's operator and German flag carrier Lufthansa say they will seek a court injunction to stop the strike. Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/frankfurt-airport-strike-expands-transport-minister-warns-of-disastrous-consequences-a-818058.html With German union GdF slated to expand its strike on Wednesday at Frankfurt Airport, Europe's third largest, air transport could be massively disrupted in Germany and possibly globally. The airport's operator and German flag carrier Lufthansa say they will seek a court injunction to stop the strike. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/interview-with-german-airline-boss-lufthansa-can-no-longer-be-top-dog-everywhere-a-792669.html#ref=rss In a SPIEGEL interview, Lufthansa CEO Christoph Franz, 51, discusses how to deal with the aggressive competition arising from budget airlines in Europe, rising state-owned carriers in the Gulf states as well as the fallout from a recent ban on nighttime flights at Germany's biggest airport in Frankfurt. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/interview-with-german-airline-boss-lufthansa-can-no-longer-be-top-dog-everywhere-a-792669.html In a SPIEGEL interview, Lufthansa CEO Christoph Franz, 51, discusses how to deal with the aggressive competition arising from budget airlines in Europe, rising state-owned carriers in the Gulf states as well as the fallout from a recent ban on nighttime flights at Germany's biggest airport in Frankfurt.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eyjafjallajoekull-study-iceland-ash-did-pose-threat-to-planes-a-758987.html#ref=rss Since the eruption of an Icelandic volcano caused havoc with Europe's air transport system just over a year ago, doubts have persisted over how dangerous the ash clouds really were. A new study has concluded that the ash released in the first part of the eruption did, in fact, represent a risk for planes. Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:34:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eyjafjallajoekull-study-iceland-ash-did-pose-threat-to-planes-a-758987.html Since the eruption of an Icelandic volcano caused havoc with Europe's air transport system just over a year ago, doubts have persisted over how dangerous the ash clouds really were. A new study has concluded that the ash released in the first part of the eruption did, in fact, represent a risk for planes.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/taking-on-lufthansa-emirates-lobbies-for-more-landing-rights-in-germany-a-703362.html#ref=rss Dubai-based airline Emirates is lobbying German politicians for more landing rights in the country as part of its massive expansion drive. Its German rival Lufthansa, worried about losing market share, is resisting, but Emirates hopes that its recent record order of 32 A380s from the European manufacturer Airbus will help to concentrate decisionmakers' minds. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:05:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/taking-on-lufthansa-emirates-lobbies-for-more-landing-rights-in-germany-a-703362.html Dubai-based airline Emirates is lobbying German politicians for more landing rights in the country as part of its massive expansion drive. Its German rival Lufthansa, worried about losing market share, is resisting, but Emirates hopes that its recent record order of 32 A380s from the European manufacturer Airbus will help to concentrate decisionmakers' minds.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/pilot-union-threatens-to-walk-lufthansa-provoked-us-a-685252.html#ref=rss Germany's national airline could soon be facing another strike, after a damaging four-day interruption of work in February. In a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview, Ilona Ritter, of the pilot union Cockpit, explains how the dispute escalated and ways the airline could still prevent another expensive worker walkout. Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:18:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/pilot-union-threatens-to-walk-lufthansa-provoked-us-a-685252.html Germany's national airline could soon be facing another strike, after a damaging four-day interruption of work in February. In a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview, Ilona Ritter, of the pilot union Cockpit, explains how the dispute escalated and ways the airline could still prevent another expensive worker walkout.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/cloudy-skies-for-lufthansa-germany-s-national-airline-faces-a-difficult-future-a-681193.html#ref=rss The German airline Lufthansa managed to avoid a damaging pilots' strike last month. But the company still faces a challenging future. Plummeting profits and crucial strategic errors have plunged the airline into a deep crisis. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:06:25 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/cloudy-skies-for-lufthansa-germany-s-national-airline-faces-a-difficult-future-a-681193.html The German airline Lufthansa managed to avoid a damaging pilots' strike last month. But the company still faces a challenging future. Plummeting profits and crucial strategic errors have plunged the airline into a deep crisis.]]>