Eurowings, the Lufthansa subsidiary, is currently evaluating the possibility of implementing temporary reduced working hours this coming winter and has already begun discussions with the German Federal Employment Agency. According to reports, this would be the first time the airline has utilized such a scheme since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The short-time work scheme would specifically affect the company’s German operations. An internal memo cited by the reporter indicates that Eurowings will need to deploy fewer aircraft and crews in the coming months. Both the pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit, and the service union, Verdi-which represents the cabin staff at Eurowings-have confirmed that the company is assessing this possibility.
Eurowings stated that it is currently reviewing whether the necessary conditions for temporary reduced working hours in the German airline industry are met for the winter period. The company has declined to release specific details while the review is ongoing, so the exact number of affected employees and the start date remain unconfirmed.
The financial and operational landscape is challenging, primarily due to kerosene prices, which have more than doubled since the war in the Middle East. The airline reported that fuel costs alone are approximately €250 million over the budget for Eurowings. As a preliminary measure, the airline plans to reduce its winter schedule by about five percent, with specific routes from Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart to Dubai being discontinued. Furthermore, management intends to achieve cost savings within the administrative departments through reduced staffing levels up until the end of 2028. The company has also canceled its internal Christmas party.
