On March 1, 2024, Peter Gerber took over the helm of Condor Flugdienst GmbH and, in his first public address at the traditional Condor Talk Night in Frankfurt am Main, already presented a positive picture of the company's future.
In front of an audience of around 300 guests, Gerber expressed his satisfaction with the year so far and announced that 2024 would go down in history as a "very successful" year for Condor. This is particularly noteworthy as the holiday airline has stabilized again after the challenges of recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and is on a growth path.
Fleet modernization as the key to success
A central theme of Gerber's speech was the impressive logistical achievement of integrating 18 new aircraft into the existing fleet within just 18 months. This includes the introduction of the Airbus A330-900 Neo, which is considered one of the most modern aircraft in aviation. Gerber emphasized that this is an achievement that no other airline has achieved so far, and thus shows Condor's ambition to hold its own in international competition.
In addition to this fleet modernization, the airline has also significantly increased its long-haul capacity. With a 33 percent increase in available seats, Condor has achieved the largest growth in the company's history, which not only strengthens its market position but also promotes customer satisfaction. Gerber pointed to an increase in the Net Promoter Score (NPS) to 34, which indicates increasing passenger satisfaction and is of great importance to the airline, as this value measures the willingness of customers to recommend the airline.
Political Challenges and Cooperation
Despite the positive developments, Gerber also addresses the challenges facing the airline. In particular, the high location costs for aviation in Germany are seen as a significant obstacle. The Condor boss called on politicians to improve conditions for airlines in order to benefit both the companies and the state. This demand reflects a recurring theme in German aviation, which is about finding a balance between competition and state support.
In his speech, Gerber also had words of praise for Lufthansa. He stressed the need for a strong Lufthansa for German aviation, but at the same time also the value of a strong competitor such as Condor. These comments are particularly relevant in the context of the existing tensions between Condor and Lufthansa over discounts on feeder flights, which have been given new impetus by a recent decision of the Federal Court of Justice in favor of Condor.
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