Deutsche Lufthansa AG is in talks with planemakers about swapping some orders for larger aircraft to smaller long-distance models, helping to adapt its fleet to an enduring slump in intercontinental business travel as the coronavirus crisis transform upends demand.
Europe’s largest airline group is in negotiations with Airbus SE and Boeing Co. about existing orders, with the manufacturers showing flexibility in the discussions, Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr said in webinar Monday as part of the London School of Economics German Symposium.
Spohr didn’t elaborate on the potential changes. He said he doubted whether demand for business travel in Europe and the U.S. will ever return to pre-pandemic levels. Lufthansa previously said it was in talks about its plane backlog, without detailing its goals.
