BERLIN, Nov 14 (Reuters) - German flag carrier Lufthansa is looking to gradually reduce jobs in administration by 20% as it steels itself against a projected drop in earnings, the Manager Magazin reported on Thursday.
The planned job cuts would impact 400 positions, the report said.
Lufthansa declined to comment directly on the reported layoffs but said that it was aiming to cut costs in the area of administration by 20% by 2028, drawing on more digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation.
"There is currently a hiring freeze in the administrative areas of Lufthansa Airlines," a spokesperson for the company added. "A reduction in the number of staff is to be achieved through age-related, natural fluctuation."
The German business magazine cited an internal projection warning of an operating loss of 800 million euros ($843.92 million) in 2026 if the airline continues on its beleaguered trajectory.
The spokesperson declined to comment on this projection.
Lufthansa saw operating profit drop by 9% in the third quarter as its flagship brand struggles with low yields, competition with international airlines and spiralling costs.
($1 = 0.9480 euros)
Reporting by Rachel More, Editing by Miranda Murray
Source: Reuters