Photo Gallery Lufthansa's Uncertain Future
In February, Lufthansa pilots went out on strike looking for more job security as the company continues to rely more heavily on budget subsidiaries. The pilots originally planned a four-day walkout, but ended it after just 18 hours.
Labor court judge Silke Kohlschitter was able to use her charm and diplomacy skills to get the two side back to the negotiating table.
But despite the short duration of the strike, Lufthansa still faces a difficult future. Profits are dropping and the company faces a difficult restructuring.
Partly due to the company's purchase of struggling Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa's debt has grown to 2 billion. The ratings agencies Standard and Poor's and Moody's have both downgraded the company.
In addition, the company has placed too great of an emphasis on First Class and Business Class passengers -- a strategy which has not borne fruit.
Lufthansa CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber (second from right) and Deputy CEO Christoph Franz last April. Franz says "the economic crisis is not the cause of our difficult situation. It just makes it blatantly clear where our competitive weaknesses lie."
