Airlines will lose money on their Atlantic routes.

All transatlantic air carriers are expected to lose money on their North Atlantic services this year, said the head of West Germany’s national airline, Lufthansa. Lufthansa Chairman Heinz Ruhnau made the prediction to the transport committee of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Ruhnau said fierce competition had developed over the North Atlantic with firms trying to dislodge other carriers by offering prices that did not cover costs and by raising the number of passengers that they carry on these routes.