Lufthansa Group's adjusted operating profit increased 31%, to €1.47 billion ($1.56 billion), during the third quarter of 2023 amid what chief executive Carsten Spohr describes as "the highest revenue and profit ever achieved in one summer". Group revenue grew 8%, to €10.3 billion, during the quarter ended 30 September versus the period last year, Lufthansa says. Its passenger airline business delivered an adjusted EBIT of €1.4 billion, up 91%, with all operators across the group improving their results. Lufthansa attributes the growth to strong demand, increased capacity and high yields. "At 25% above the 2019 third-quarter level, yields reached a new record high," the company says, adding that leisure travel demand was particularly strong in the premium segment. The number of passengers grew to 38 million, from 33 million, with Lufthansa noting that more than 70% of travellers began their journey outside Germany. Passenger capacity across the group was lifted 13% versus last year and reached 88% of its pre-crisis level. Lufthansa plans to lift capacity to 91% during the fourth quarter, and to 95% in 2024. Fourth-quarter bookings are currently up by double-digit percentage terms, the company says. Unit cost declined 0.9% year-on-year, which Lufthansa describes as a "significant improvement" versus the second quarter of 2023. "Despite high inflation, we were able to reduce our unit costs," states finance chief Remco Steenbergen. "However, we need to further improve our operational reliability and thus also our productivity and efficiency, which are still below pre-crisis levels." Lufthansa Cargo's adjusted EBIT meanwhile shrank to €1 million, from 331 million last year. The airline attributes the decline to an air cargo market normalisation since the pandemic, challenging macroeconomic conditions and seasonally weak demand. "For the fourth quarter, a slight year-on-year increase in transported volumes is expected," the airline says. Adjusted EBIT at maintenance arm Lufthansa Technik declined to €168 million, from €188 million. The group asserts that last year's adjusted EBIT had benefited from a more favourable US dollar exchange rate, and that LHT still delivered a "new record result" amid high MRO demand. Lufthansa says that a review of a proposed sale of a minority stake in LHT is expected to be completed by year-end. The company previously had a target for a decision by September. Group operating free cash flow was at €1.2 billion during the third quarter. After deducting net capital expenditure, primarily for new aircraft, adjusted free cash flow came to €592 million. Net debt was reduced to €5.4 billion, from €6.9 billion at the end of 2022. Lufthansa has confirmed an adjusted EBIT target of at least €2.6 billion for 2023. Next year, Lufthansa says it is due to receive around 30 new aircraft "according to current schedules". The group predicts "above-industry-average and profitable growth" for 2024, citing better access than its peers to MRO capacity through LHT and success in recruiting flight operations staff. "It is paying off for all of us that we have combined our successful multi-airline and multi-hub strategy with strengthening the private travel segment, setting the right strategic course," states Spohr. "Even though the geopolitical situation remains challenging, our booking outlook gives us reason to be positive – not only for a very good group result this year, but also beyond."

Norwegian chief executive Geir Karlsen is concerned by what he terms "massive" hikes in fees charged by airports in the Nordic countries. During the airline's third-quarter financial results call on 2 November, Karlsen estimated that while European airports have been raising charges by on average 10-20%, counterparts in the Nordic region are raising them 20-30%. He says airports in Norway and Denmark and some in Sweden are upping fees by more than 20%, though the same does not apply at Helsinki. "I would say in the Nordics now we are probably seeing higher increases in airport charges than the rest of Europe," he says, adding: "It's just massive, and it's definitely an issue." Karlsen says Norwegian is currently trying to negotiate a volume discount with Copenhagen airport, based on having 15-16 aircraft stationed in the Danish capital. "All in all, we would not like to see the baseline increase," he says. In September, Norwegian and SAS agreed in principle to pay a new rate of DKr217 ($31.50) per passenger at Copenhagen, up 28% from DKr170 currently, from 1 January 2024. Karlsen also highlights ATC charges as an issue for his airline.

Pilots at Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation will not proceed with a 48-hour work stoppage that was to have started on 1 November with mediated talks scheduled to take place over the next week. The Australian Federation of Air Pilots says it will attend a bargaining session mediated by the Fair Work Commission on 7 November, with potential for further sessions over the following days to 10 November. "AFAP members – who make up 90% of the pilot group at Network Aviation – have given an undertaking that they will not engage in any protected action until next week’s bargaining sessions are completed," it adds. Pilots have been seeking to bring their pay in line with other narrowbody pilots across the Qantas group. Network Aviation operates Airbus A320ceos and Fokker 100s under the QantasLink banner on a mix of scheduled and charter services in Western Australia and from Perth to Darwin.