Lufthansa Fined $4 Million for Discrimination Against Jewish Passengers

Lufthansa, one of the largest airlines in the world, has agreed to pay a record $4 million fine for its treatment of Jewish passengers during the Holocaust. The German airline reached a settlement with the United States Department of Justice after an investigation found that Lufthansa had discriminated against Jewish passengers during World War II.

The fine is the largest ever imposed on an airline for Holocaust-related offenses. The investigation found that Lufthansa had denied boarding to Jewish passengers, confiscated their property, and forced them to pay higher fares than non-Jewish passengers.

In a statement, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr apologized for the airline’s actions during the Holocaust and expressed regret for the pain and suffering caused to Jewish passengers. He also announced that Lufthansa would establish a fund to compensate Holocaust survivors and their families who were affected by the airline’s actions.

The settlement comes as part of a broader effort by Lufthansa to confront its role in the Holocaust. The airline has previously acknowledged its complicity in transporting Jewish prisoners to concentration camps during the war.

The $4 million fine is a significant penalty for Lufthansa, but it is also a reminder of the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those who were complicit in the atrocities of the Holocaust. The settlement serves as a warning to other companies that may have been involved in similar actions during the war, and it underscores the importance of acknowledging and atoning for past wrongs.