Lufthansa CEO Sees Shifting Dynamics in Global Air Travel

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr predicts a decline in the influence of Gulf carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways on Asian routes due to the Iran conflict. The situation may discourage negotiations for more airport slots in Germany. Spohr also noted a rise in American travel on North Atlantic routes.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 17-03-2026 12:31 IST | Created: 17-03-2026 12:31 IST
Lufthansa CEO Sees Shifting Dynamics in Global Air Travel
This image is AI-generated and does not depict any real-life event or location. It is a fictional representation created for illustrative purposes only.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr has projected changes in global air travel dynamics, highlighting a potential decline in the dominance of Gulf carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways. This shift, attributed to the ongoing Iran conflict, was discussed in his interview with Manager Magazin.

The strategic locations of these Gulf hubs may now face increased risks, potentially impacting future travel patterns. Spohr mentioned that these developments may curb recent talks about granting additional take-off and landing slots at German airports to Gulf airlines.

On another note, Spohr pointed out that Lufthansa has been able to counteract last year's dip in European demand for U.S. travel with a rise in American travelers heading to Europe. This summer, Lufthansa anticipates having more American travelers on their North Atlantic routes.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Give Feedback