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Lufthansa to consider Gulf partnership only on equal terms

German carrier Lufthansa has said it would only enter into any partnerships with Gulf carriers from a position of strength, justifying plans to widen a cost-cutting drive that helped it post higher-than-expected quarterly profits, Reuters has reported. "Air France and Air Berlin have entered these partnerships from a position of weakness," Lufthansa chief executive Christoph Franz said. "The Gulf carriers are joining the global alliances for the first time. This significant change in strategy sees [them] increasingly also acting as an engine of consolidation in the aviation industry. We welcome further consolidation and we will, where it is purposeful and possible, actively participate - but only if it is possible on equal terms," he said.

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/lufthansa-consid ... rms-317599" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), two Star Alliance airlines, are in discussions about increasing their relationship and cooperation according to this report by the Financial Times. Turkish Airlines is a fast growing carrier and serves many destinations not served by the German carrier. Lufthansa appears to favor this approach rather than striking up a new relationship with any of the fast growing Gulf carriers. Lufthansa has been critical of the Gulf carriers which pose a threat to many European long-haul carriers. Competitor Airberlin (Berlin) now has a strong and growing relationship with Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi) and fast growing Qatar Airways (Doha) will join the Oneworld alliance in August 2013 as previously reported.

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