Lufthansa would only enter into Gulf partnership from position of strength: CEO

Lufthansa CEO Christoph Franz said the airline would only enter into a partnership with a Gulf carrier from a position of strength (Reuters, 02-Nov-2012). Mr Franz said, "Air France and Air Berlin have entered these partnerships from a position of weakness…. We do not want to do this, we are not under pressure, and we can and we will assess any potential partnerships very carefully". Mr Franz said "If we are to hold talks at all, then we need to be on equal terms with the negotiating partner. And to achieve that we need to first get our house in order".