Lufthansa narrows operating loss in Q1

Berlin

LUFTHANSA joined European rivals in reporting improved first-quarter earnings helped by cheaper fuel, but said on Tuesday further action was needed to lower costs, especially in light of a rising pension burden and staff-related expenses.

Lufthansa is in a long-running dispute with its pilots over retirement benefits and the expansion of low-cost services. Talks with pilots and strike action were suspended after the crash of one of its Germanwings planes at the end of March.