This is out of a German Newspaper and obviously the other side of the story. Probably influenced by the NTA press team, but closer to the truth:
Lufthansa without Warren Buffett The airline can no longer fall back on the private jets of the billionaire. This is bad news for the wealthy customers. It was so far a beautiful success story: the history of Lufthansa¹s private jets for the successful and rich people among the frequent flyers. Individuals who wanted to go from Erlangen to Rotterdam and who at the same time were willing and able to pay for, were provided by Lufthansa with a Cessna Citation Bravo, a Hawker, a Beechcraft or a Falcon * at the latest 24 hours after the order. This service has existed since March 2005 connecting remote airfields in the European and Russian province with large airports. 1000 destinations can be reached. This service is the perfect fit for the strategy of Lufthansa to provide for each of its passengers tastes. Financially strong customers are especially important to the company as they travel much and on long distances. "A great product", jubilated head of Lufthansa Wolfgang Mayrhuber. But now the fun is over. Because Lufthansa partner NetJets terminated the contract.
NetJets is a branch of the economic empire of the investor Warren Buffett and the largest private jet company of the world. It made its aircraft available on behalf of Lufthansa. The termination of the contract, which NetJets already expressed at the end of August, has now been communicated by Lufthansa with the joyous heading: "Lufthansa Private Jet on a course of success - demand for premium offer rises * Building up of an own fleet in 2008". This successful course however, according NetJets, ends 11th of December. Lufthansa then will have flown off the hours they bought. And NetJets will not to lift a finger for Lufthansa after that day. It is now open, who will fly Lufthansa¹s premium passengers. "We are in negotiations with other companies", says Lufthansa. But these are not yet finished.
At the same time, Lufthansa states that the contract is still valid until February 2008. NetJets confirms that this is correct if Lufthansa hadn’t already flown the number of flying hours that they had purchased. The Airline (LH), obviously the victim of its own success which does not make the situation easier. Departure is in danger from 11 December on. Lufthansa will buy an own fleet, but this one will only be ready in spring 2008. "Until the moment we are reaching our planned fleet size for 2008 single flights will be accomplished by Lufthansa-certified partners", writes the company.
My call at the service team of Lufthansa Private Jet does not clarify the situation. "Whether a flight will be possible on 8 January? I can only accept and process the order ", says the friendly voice of the service team. There are no guarantees. A few fundamental questions arise. Time and time again, large airlines tried to establish as supplementing offer private jet flights for their wealthy customers. So far, the attempts always failed. Why NetJets is no longer cooperating with Lufthansa is a little unclear. The company wants to concentrate on the core business, says NetJets. The co-operation with Lufthansa contributed only one per cent to the revenue.
The Lufthansa co-operation could mess with their own business. "Fractional ownership" as their own business is called is very successful: The company sells shares of an aircraft or flying hours to companies and private people, which thereupon can fly to 1,000 European destinations, with only 24 hours notice. With 600 aircrafts worldwide, of which 130 are in Europe, the company operates the largest business-jet-fleet of the world. Business jet flights are booming in Europe. Operators are buying aircrafts and are looking for pilots. NetJets recently increased salaries for flight captains, in order to reduce the fluctuation.