Lufthansa promises support if the NATO mechanism is activated

Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter has said that the airline is ready to step up its support for the Bundeswehr and the German government if NATO contingency plans are activated.

Lufthansa occupies a key position in Germany’s classified Operational Plan, which provides for the defense of the country and the fulfillment of allied commitments. Lufthansa Technik already services the government fleet, and since November the group has been training not only pilots of the government air squadron but also Navy pilots.

The Operational Plan turns Germany into NATO’s main logistics hub: in the event of a crisis, up to 800,000 troops and 200,000 pieces of equipment are to pass through the country over six months. The Bundeswehr emphasizes that this task is impossible without the participation of private industry.

Against the backdrop of growing hybrid threats, Ritter called for accelerating the rollout of drone-detection systems at all major airports. Such a system is already in operation in Frankfurt; Lufthansa is pushing to prioritize major hubs, especially Munich. In 2025, 192 drone-related incidents were recorded in Germany, compared with 141 the year before, and authorities suspect Russian involvement and have already approved an interagency plan to counter hybrid threats.