Lufthansa generates operating profit in the first half year of 2011 and confirms the outlook to improve the operating result 2011 on previous year.

The Lufthansa Group generated an operating profit of EUR 3m in the first half year 2011, an improvement of EUR 174m on the previous year's period.

This development reflects a robust sales growth - Group revenue climbed by 11.4 per cent to EUR 14.1bn - and positive impacts from the cost management measures. The impacts of the earthquake in Japan, the political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East and the high oil price burdened the result, however.

The net loss for the period was EUR 206m (previous year: EUR -104m). It was, as already in the first quarter, marked by IAS 39 valuation effects.

In expectation of an ongoing positive business development for the rest of the year the Executive Board confirms its guidance for the financial year 2011 to increase revenue and operating result on the previous year.
The interim report for the first half year 2011 will be published on 28 July 2011. The information will be available online from 8:00 CET at www.lufthansagroup.com/investor-relations.