LH engages with start-ups

Wolfgang Will, Director, South Asia, Lufthansa Passenger Airlines, speaks with on being part of the Startup Expo, and why airlines need to innovate to sustain themselves in today’s market.

Lufthansa co-created the Startup Expo in Gurugram recently to offer a platform for rising entrepreneurs. Speaking at the event, Will said, “We are delighted to be the co-creator of the Startup Expo from the conceptual phase to the implementation and execution. It is part of our philosophy of ‘nonstop you’ where we engage with people, communities and with our target groups. We believe that at such a forum, we really can enable Indian entrepreneurship and contribute our part to the success and growth of the Indian economy.”

However, the Indian market is highly competitive. Wolfgang agrees, “Competition is there in aviation all the time and I think it’s very important because it makes you think about new ideas and new ways to promote your products and services. India is a very competitive place and we are very happy to have reached a high level of customer satisfaction and a huge customer base here.”

Lufthansa has had a reputation of being one of the first airlines to cut agent commissions in India. When asked about the same, Will said, “The aviation and the travel industry at large have changed completely. If you look back 20 years ago, most of the airlines were stateowned, and there was a lot

of regulation everywhere. Today the reality is very different. Our customers look for best deal and we cannot keep formulas, which in the past have functioned very well. Yes, Lufthansa is famous for being disruptive and this is what most start-ups are also doing — being disruptive. We have to look for new formulas. I know that’s a really painful way and there is a lot of struggle in the aviation sector. But we are happy that with our brave moves we have reached a financial base which at the end is not only good for the company but for our employees and ones who are giving us their trust and money because we can offer them reliable service of very high standards.”

On the upcoming civil aviation policy, he said, “I welcome every move of the authorities to ease up the aviation sector. I know there are issues about safety and security and one can’t compromise it all. However, on the commercial front, there should be liberty and freedom.”