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Lufthansa Pitches $6.5 Billion Plan to Raise Capital, Repay Aid

  • Airline asks shareholders to approve EU5.5 billion increase
  • Company says hasn’t decided whether to do capital hike
Travelers at the baggage drop area for Deutsche Lufthansa AG at Frankfurt Airport. 

Travelers at the baggage drop area for Deutsche Lufthansa AG at Frankfurt Airport. 

Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg
Updated on

Deutsche Lufthansa AG will ask shareholders to approve a capital increase that would open a path toward removing the German government as its biggest shareholder.

The proposed 5.5 billion euros ($6.5 billion) in fresh capital would give Europe’s largest airline enough cash to replace a so-called silent participation, a major part of Lufthansa’s 9 billion-euro bailout from the state.