Condor Waits On Next Stage Of Lufthansa Regulatory Battle

FRANKFURT—German leisure carrier Condor is continuing to build its own European feeder network while waiting on the outcome of a protracted regulatory battle with Lufthansa.

Until recently, Condor was exclusively a long-haul leisure airline with a substantial Frankfurt network, which relied on short-haul feed from Lufthansa. However, Lufthansa decided to end the relationship from 2021, at a time when it was expanding its own long-haul leisure operation Discover Airlines.

Since then, the two airlines have been embroiled in a legal battle involving German and European Union regulators, which saw a temporary agreement imposed and then suspended. This meant Condor had to suddenly create its own short-haul feed into Frankfurt to fill its 18 Airbus A330s.

“It was difficult to get slots,” Condor Airlines CEO Peter Gerber told delegates at Routes World 2026 in Frankfurt. “Eventually, we made it, and we were able to build a feeder network more or less out of the blue.”

During the legal uncertainly, Condor worked on a Plan B to create its own short-haul feed, which it never expected to use. Gerber said the court decision annulling the temporary arrangement “came as a surprise.”

Condor quickly recreated links with its most important German-speaking markets, expanding further as it secured more slots. “Bit by bit, we built up a hub,” he said.

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During the keynote interview, Gerber was asked whether there was any potential for the Lufthansa partnership to be restored. Gerber said that decision rests with the German competition authorities and the European Commission.

“They are still looking into this case because, fundamentally, the case hasn't changed,” he said. “Lufthansa has a dominant position in the German/European market, and our view is that they need to grant access at least to parts of their network.”

However, even if the competition authorities rule in Condor’s favor, Gerber said further appeals would be likely. “We have to plan on our own,” he said. “We will never be able to build up the broadness of the Lufthansa network.”

Instead, Condor is focused on its most important markets, selecting destinations, securing slots and getting to know its customers. “Condor was only known as a leisure carrier. Nobody thought that Condor could also be a carrier within Europe, connecting cities and doing feed,” Gerber said.