The airline Eurowings concluded the first half of 2026 with largely stable operational performance, but faces financial burdens in terms of earnings.
Despite weather-related disruptions at the beginning of the year and strike action by the Vereinigung Cockpit pilots' union, the airline achieved an operational reliability of nearly 99 percent across a total of 75.000 flights. More than ten million passengers used the route network of the Lufthansa Group subsidiary in the first six months of 2026. The average load factor of the aircraft deployed rose to 85,3 percent. The measured customer satisfaction score, expressed by the Net Promoter Score, was 47. According to company surveys, around 71 percent of the passengers polled indicated they would choose to fly with Eurowings again. Despite these operational figures, the Group's point-to-point business segment – which includes Eurowings and its stake in the joint venture SunExpress – closed the first half of 2026 with an adjusted operating result (Adjusted EBIT) of minus 252 million euros. The balance sheet was primarily burdened by drastically increased fuel costs as a result of geopolitical crises in the Middle East, as well as by the tax and fee structure at the air transport hub of Germany.
Shifting traffic flows and expanding presence at airports
Business performance in the second quarter of 2026 was heavily influenced by external factors and changes in route planning. The ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East forced the airline to adjust its flight schedule at short notice. Routes to the previously growing Gulf region were temporarily removed from the schedule or reduced in frequency. The freed-up aircraft capacity was then redirected to the western Mediterranean.
Connections to Spain, especially to the island of Mallorca, saw a sharp increase in demand during the spring and early summer. In addition to the Mediterranean region, the company also adjusted its services at its German home airports. At Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the airline expanded its summer flight schedule to around 50 direct destinations. The focus was on new and increased connections to European metropolises such as London, Lisbon, and Sarajevo, followed by the announcement of a direct connection to Rome starting in November 2026. This expansion at the capital's airport took place in a market environment where other market participants had, in some cases, reduced their flight offerings at major German airports due to high station costs.
Cost factors and influence of location conditions
The financial results of holiday and point-to-point airlines are inherently highly seasonal. The majority of revenues are traditionally generated during the peak summer months between June and October, while the winter and spring months are regularly characterized by negative earnings. In the first half of 2026, external cost factors exacerbated this seasonal tendency.
The significant increase in fuel prices, triggered by the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, considerably raised the fleet's variable operating costs. This was compounded by rising government levies, air security fees, and air traffic control charges in the German market. Industry associations and airlines have long pointed out that fees at German airports are above average compared to other European countries, which puts pressure on profit margins on short- and medium-haul routes. Furthermore, at SunExpress, weaker demand on routes to Turkey negatively impacted the overall results of the point-to-point segment.
Consequences of strikes and consolidation in flight operations
The operational performance in the first half of 2026 was overshadowed not only by geopolitical turmoil but also by labor disputes. The wage negotiations with the Vereinigung Cockpit union led to sporadic strikes, necessitating flight cancellations and organizational rebookings. The company attributes its ability to maintain near 99 percent reliability in flight operations to flexible reserve capacity and operational contingency plans.
As part of its ongoing fleet consolidation, the airline is preparing for the gradual integration of new aircraft types. The introduction of Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft within the group requires upfront investments in cabin and cockpit crew training, as well as in technical logistics. These measures led to temporary increases in operating costs during the first half of the year, but are expected to contribute to increased capacity in the medium term.
Outlook for the second half of 2026
For the second half of the year, Eurowings management is counting on continued strong booking numbers during the summer and early autumn season. The airline aims to offset the losses from the first six months with revenue from the peak travel season. Load factors in July and August indicate sustained demand for holiday flights, which is supporting ticket prices.
Nevertheless, uncertainties remain regarding the future development of kerosene prices and the general purchasing power of consumers. The ongoing debates about the fee structure at German commercial airports are also likely to significantly influence the airline's future capacity allocation. The company remains committed to its strategy of responding flexibly to changing demand patterns in European airspace.