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Lufthansa is considering adopting a corporate holding structure to simplify its operations, improve profitability and regain the support of investors, newspaper Handelsblatt reported Monday. Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper said the idea of a group holding structure was under early discussion both at management level and in parts of the supervisory board. CE Carsten Spohr has come under mounting pressure after an acquisitive spell exposed Lufthansa to a broader industry downturn that has in particular inflicted losses on its Eurowings operation. Lufthansa shares have fallen 30% over the past year, leaving the airline with a stock market worth of E8b - less than half the value at which its carries it aircraft fleet on its books, Handelsblatt noted. <br/>

United Airlines wants to help its passengers get through security faster. United said Monday that it is taking an equity stake in Clear, a technology company that uses fingerprints and iris scans to verify a travellers’ identity at security checks. Clear operates at 31 airports in addition to stadiums, arenas and some Hertz rental car locations. United’s investment will help Clear expand into some of the airline’s largest hubs. Clear will launch at Newark Liberty International and expand at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental later this summer. The company also is seeking approval from the city of Chicago to open lanes at O’Hare International. Clear charges most members US$179 annually, but United said it would enrol its top-tier frequent fliers free of charge and offer a discount to other members of its loyalty program. <br/>