Lufthansa soared to new record heights in 2008, achieving the best result in the history of the company. This encouraging development was considerably boosted by joining forces with SWISS International Airlines. In 2008, almost 63 million passengers flew with the airlines of the Lufthansa Group.

While there is every necessity for economic success, all business segments, whether it is the passenger business, Catering, MRO, IT Services or Logistics focus on sustainability. Environmental care has been, is and always will be one of Lufthansa’s key corporate goals.

For many years, Lufthansa has for example supported the work of national and international environmental and nature conservation organizations. One area of emphasis involves species protection activities such as supporting the crane-protection of the “South African Crane Working Group (SACWG). Lufthansa is also committed to saving the earth’s major freshwater lakes with the East African Living Lakes Network currently profiling 16 lakes across the African continent.

The social commitment of Lufthansa is realized in numerous actions. The companies of the Lufthansa Group are involved in both central, sometimes strategic projects and a broad range of local projects. The latter are often initiated and run by local employees and managers under the umbrella of the Lufthansa HelpAlliance, which was founded in 1999 by staff members from all parts of the Lufthansa Group. It is a voluntary, non-denominational, politically independent organisation.

At present HelpAlliance members oversee about 30 projects worldwide. They include start-ups, educational establishments, orphanages, projects to support street children and bush hospitals.

When a disaster strikes, Lufthansa HelpAlliance tries to help wherever possible. To give a few examples: Support was organised after the severe flooding in Mozambique in early 2000, the flood disaster in Dresden and surrounding area in the summer of 2002, the earthquake in Gujarat, India in January 2001 and the earthquake in Bam, Iran in December 2003. Lufthansa staff members are personally responsible for ensuring that donations are used correctly, and that the money reaches those affected by the disaster in full. On the spot they are supported by competent partners.

The activities of the Lufthansa HelpAlliance comprises in Africa projects in eight different countries:
> Accra – Ghana: Kinder Paradise Ghana
> Cape Town – South Africa: iThemba – pre-school project in Cape Town
> Addis Ababa – Ethiopia and Lilongwe – Malawi: Hope e. V. – aid for Ethiopia and Malawi
> Djougou – Benin: Abéni – Aid for Benin
> St. Louis – Senegal: A district helps itself
> Obizi – Nigeria: Obizi – Schools and hospital in Nigeria
> Lagos – Nigeria: Help for orphans in Nigeria
> Kaloleni and Kilifi – Kenya: From bush hospital to house of hope