Lufthansa has filed a motion with a Frankfurt court to prevent a flight attendants’ strike scheduled for this week, a company spokeswoman said on Tuesday. Cabin crew union UFO has called for a walkout at Lufthansa’s German operations on Thursday and Friday. In addition to a dispute over pay and pensions, UFO has also fought with the airline in court for months over the union’s legal status.<br/>
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Lufthansa said its CE Carsten Spohr had invited representatives of three unions for talks on a wage dispute that threatens to ground the airline’s German fleet for 48 hours from late Wednesday. The three unions - Ufo, Verdi and CU - are locked in a dispute over pay and conditions for cabin staff as well as over legal recognition of the Ufo union’s status. Earlier Tuesday, Lufthansa sought to prevent the strike via legal action. But Lufthansa said Spohr wanted discussions with the unions and invited them for talks at 6 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Wednesday evening. “The situation in the cabins, which threatens to lead to another labor dispute this week is fair neither to our colleagues nor to our customers,” Spohr said. “A solution can only lie in dialogue.”<br/>
Singapore Airlines' group operating profit fell by 8.6% to S$213m in its Q2, as cargo declines impaired revenue growth and costs were inflated by capacity expansion and a higher fuel bill. Expenditure increased by S$180m or 4.7%, "mainly from capacity injection", in the three months ended 30 September, notes the group. Revenue, meanwhile, was up S$160mi or 3.9%, as a passenger revenue rise of S$244m was offset by a S$93m fall in cargo revenue. Net fuel costs were S$20m higher. The operating profit generated by SIA's mainline business was down 1.7% at S$233m. SilkAir's operating result was unchanged. The regional subsidiary made a loss of S$3m as higher revenue "was matched by an increase in expenditure partly contributed by the 737 Max 8 grounding". In its outlook, the group predicts that passenger bookings in the coming months will be stronger year-on-year and that yields will be supported by premium-cabin traffic. "However, headwinds persist," it warns, citing intensifying competition and an uncertain global economic outlook.<br/>