Lufthansa CEO vows to break bitter pilots’ strike

Lufthansa chief executive Carsten Spohr said Europe’s third-largest airline must hold its nerve and face down striking pilots if it’s to deliver meaningful savings and survive as a force in aviation.

Taking on the pilots “is not about being tough,” but “about the future of Lufthansa,” Mr Spohr said in Berlin on the eve of a second day of walkouts by cockpit crew. If the company caves in to pay demands it has “no chance of survival” he said.

Lufthansa has already canceled almost 1,900 flights, wiping out 40% of the timetable and disrupting travel for more than 215,000 people.