Lufthansa Group CEO Warns European Dependence on Gulf Hubs is ‘Achilles’ Heel’
Photo Credit: Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa Group CEO speaking at the company's annual press conference in March 2026 Lufthansa Group
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As a nightmare week for Gulf airlines drags on, Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr argues Europe must reduce its reliance on Middle East hubs to connect with the world.
The war spreading across the Middle East has exposed a structural vulnerability in global aviation – and according to Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr, Europe should take notice.
Speaking alongside the release of the Lufthansa Group’s annual results on Friday, Spohr warned that the aviation industry’s growing dependence on Gulf hubs is becoming a strategic liability. His comments come as airspace closures and airport disruptions caused by the Iran war have forced Gulf carriers to scale back operations, sending shockwaves through international travel.
“The massive concentration of global traffic flows via the Gulf hubs is increasingly proving to be a geopolitical Achilles' heel,” Spohr said.
The escalation of military action in the region has led to widespread disruption at some of the world’s most important aviation hubs, including those used by the so-called “Big Three” of the Middle East – E
