German govt cuts stake in Lufthansa after capital increase

Germany has cut its stake in Lufthansa by slightly less than a percentage point to 14.09%, the German state finance agency said on Wednesday, after the airline completed a capital increase. Lufthansa received a E9b government bailout last year to keep it afloat through the COVID-19 pandemic under a deal which saw Germany’s Economic Stabilisation Fund (ESF) taking a stake in the group. The finance agency said ESF contributed to the E2.16b capital increase with the aim of ending state support more quickly. It said ESF will hold a 14.09% stake in Lufthansa after the capital increase, down from 15% it held before.<br/>