A Lufthansa Group employee memo, reported on FlyerTalk, outlines plans for their airlines to “go into ‘winter mode’ hibernation” from mid-December through the end of February.

Covid-19 cases in Lufthansa’s corporate home of Germany are spiking well beyond what the country saw in the spring, even if German (and Europe-wide) patient outcomes remain better than they were in the region at that time.

Source: Johns Hopkins University

For Europe as a whole confirmed Covid-19 cases are exceeding those of the United States both in absolute and per capita terms, and even as the U.S.’s own coronavirus case numbers hit new records.

Source: Statista

According to the report Lufthansa, which received a $10 billion bailout, will operate only 80 aircraft, flying “about 25% of the winter schedule with minimum crew” while moving more Airbus A350-900s from Munich to Frankfurt in order to use newer aircraft that burn less fuel.

Lufthansa Boeing 747s remain parked

Their SWISS subsidiary will fly Airbus A220 and A320neo aircraft only, with the classic engine A320 family parked. Austrian will run regional flights with Embraer ERJ-190s. And Eurowings “will operate less than 30 aircraft.” Aircraft overhauls will be paused to save money.

Staff will see reduced hours. And they’ll be closing offices, and cancelling office leases where possible: “The Squaire opposite [Frankfurt airport], which was used by marketing staff, will be vacated and the lease cancelled. [Eurowings] will also give up their [Dusseldorf] offices.”