Lufthansa CEO: No investment in non-European airlines

Lufthansa (LH) is unlikely to invest in an airline not based in Europe. Speaking to Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr, who was recently in Johannesburg for the Lufthansa Group Market Conference—an internal event attended by various airlines in the LH Group—Spohr explained why LH is not likely to take a stake in an airline operating outside of Europe. He states that investing in overseas airlines comes with significant obstacles. Thus, it is improbable, but not outright impossible, for Lufthansa to invest in an airline operating on other continents. "We can never say no, but regulatory and cultural reasons make it difficult to invest in airlines abroad,” said Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr. Spohr said that when investing in a carrier, airlines generally prefer investing in airline companies operating on the same continent. “Usually, airlines focus on their own continent.” Being geographically closer and more culturally aligned makes it easier for airlines to integrate and collaborate more efficiently. However, from a regulatory perspective, navigating the regulatory processes required when investing in airlines based in other parts of the world is rather complicated. In his vast airline leadership experience, Spohr believes there are few success stories involving airlines investing in carriers operating on other continents.<br/>