Lufthansa lost 256 million euros in first quarter

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Lufthansa lost 256 million euros in first quarter - The giant German airline Lufthansa's, damaged by the global economic crisis that affected the airline industry, announced on Thursday a net loss of 256 million euros in the first quarter of 2009.

Last year, the company recorded a profit of 44 million euros.

The analysts interrogated Dow Jones Newswires had anticipated a loss of 194 million euros.

The German company, hit by lower demand due to the global environment continues to be in anticipation of receiving the full year, but now provides a step backwards "significant" of its operating profit and its annual turnover.

The group transported 15 million passengers from January 1 to March 31, down 6% in a year, according to the quarterly report.

Its air cargo activities fell by 22.7%, with 375,000 tons shipped in the first quarter of 2009.

On Wednesday, Lufthansa announced a quarterly operating loss of EUR 44 million turnover and a low of 10.3% at 5,000 million euros.

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