Lufthansa will outsource all of the Group’s IT infrastructure services to IBM

Deutsche Lufthansa AG reported that in the course of realigning the Group’s IT activities, it will be entering into a long-term IT partnership shortly. According to the terms to be agreed, Lufthansa will outsource all of the Group’s IT infrastructure services to IBM. The IT group is also expected to take over the Infrastructure division of the current Lufthansa Systems AG. The outsourcing agreement is to have a term of 7 years. It will enable Lufthansa to benefit from a permanent reduction of IT infrastructure costs by average approximately €70m annually. An offer to this effect has been submitted and is now subject to final negotiations. In connection with this transaction, Lufthansa will incur €240m in one-time charges due to restructuring and effects from the purchase price in the financial year 2014. This impact will not be recognized in the operating result, which is relevant for the financial guidance, but in the IFRS net result of the Lufthansa Group and the HGB (local GAAP) result of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. The plan is to split Lufthansa Systems into three companies and to sell the Infrastructure division as part of the outsourcing process. The Airline Solutions and Industry Solutions divisions of the Lufthansa IT subsidiary are to operate as independent companies in their respective markets in the future. The agreements will be subject to the approval of the Lufthansa Supervisory Board and the antitrust authorities. Execution will also require the timely and successful conclusion of the social compensation plan and the reconciliation of interests. According on the current status of the negotiations, the new partner is expected to take on all approximately 1,400 employees of the Infrastructure division. The Kelsterbach and Budapest sites are to be retained. Clear commitments have also been made regarding the preservation of the jobs at the other sites. The split-up of Lufthansa Systems and formal launch of the new companies are due to take place in the first quarter of 2015. The completion of the Infrastructure sale is planned for March 31, 2015.