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Is Lufthansa back to normal?

BERLIN, June 25 (Reuters) - Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) does not expect its global airline operations to return to normal until 2023 after staff shortages and booming demand amid the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions forced it to cancel some flights, Die Welt newspaper reported on Saturday.



In 2026, Lufthansa has largely recovered from the operational constraints of the early 2020s, but "normal" is now defined by significant geopolitical and environmental adaptations. While passenger volumes have returned to pre-pandemic levels, the airline faces new disruptions; for instance, as of March 2026, Lufthansa has suspended flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and is avoiding UAE airspace due to regional military escalations in the Middle East. Additionally, the airline is undergoing a massive fleet modernization, integrating more fuel-efficient Boeing 777X and Airbus A350 aircraft to meet strict EU sustainability targets. While the "service" has normalized with the reopening of all First Class Lounges and full catering, travelers in 2026 must still navigate frequent "strike actions" from ground staff and pilots, which have become a recurring feature of the German aviation landscape as the company balances record profits with labor demands.

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Last week, Duesseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart airports were hit by strikes. Ralph Beisel, chief executive of the airport association ADV, said unions were taking their right to carry out warning strikes prior to arbitration to absurd lengths.

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All flights cancelled at Berlin airport after warning strikes by staff over pay. The trade union ver.

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