Germany's national airline, Lufthansa, is confronting its complex Nazi-era history as it marks its centenary, a significant departure from previous attempts to separate its pre- and post-war identities.
CEO Carsten Spohr said: 'We at Lufthansa are proud of what we are today. To then ignore the difficult, dark, terrible years would simply have been dishonest.' The decision to celebrate 100 years since the original 'Deutsche Luft Hansa' signals this shift, as the company long stressed a legal and organisational break between its Nazi-era predecessor and the post-war Lufthansa AG founded in 1953.
Lufthansa's entanglement with the Nazi regime was extensive. Its board members joined the Nazi Party from 1930, and as the state airline, it transported government officials. The company also played a role in the arms industry and supported the Luftwaffe, with the armaments sector contributing over two-thirds of its total revenue by 1944. According to historian Manfred Grieger, more than 12,000 people were exploited in Hansa's arms production and repair operations, including children.
One step in taking responsibility is a new book on the company's history, distributed to all 100,000 employees, along with an exhibition in the new visitors' centre. Lufthansa commissioned research into its past more than 25 years ago but previously declined to acknowledge findings on forced labour and personnel continuity after World War Two.
Looking to the future, Lufthansa Group plans to cut 4,000 jobs by 2030, citing advancements in artificial intelligence and digitalisation. The majority of redundancies are expected in Germany, affecting administrative roles. The company is intensifying the integration of its carriers, including Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways, to eliminate duplication of work.
