Lufthansa, EasyJet lean into European recovery as US flounders

Lufthansa and EasyJet are looking keenly to the fall and winter as the European travel recovery seems to have found firm footing. This is a turning of the tables compared with their US peers, which almost universally have lowered expectations for the fall after the Delta variant took a big bite out of their previously rosy outlooks. “Current bookings indicate a sustained demand recovery,” the Lufthansa Group said on a new E2.1b capital increase on September 19. As such, the group — including its namesake carrier as well as Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and Swiss — expects positive cash flow and an operating profit in Q3. EasyJet said on September 18 that there was a “surge” in UK bookings for travel this fall and winter after the UK government removed pre-departure testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers returning to the country, beginning October 4. The airline did not provide a base off of which bookings jumped. The UK represents half of EasyJet’s scheduled capacity in September, according to Cirium data. Story features more about Lufthansa, noting that corporate travelers are returning — whereas their numbers have plateaued in the US — supporting Lufthansa’s plans to resume more flights. <br/>