Lufthansa Stands Its Ground as Strike Costs $247 Million

Deutsche Lufthansa AG said it has no alternative than to lower costs to become more competitive, as Europe’s second-airline hardens its stance against pilots who have staged a series of strikes this year to protest savings.

Costs from 10 walkouts this year by its pilots are approaching 200 million euros ($247 million), Kay Kratky, the board member at Lufthansa’s passenger airline business responsible for operations in Frankfurt, said at an event last night. The impact compares with potential benefits that may last for decades, the manager said.