Lufthansa City Airlines opens Frankfurt base

Germany

Operations begin at the Group’s largest hub on 9 February 2026 / Five destinations at launch, fleet to grow to seven A320neo aircraft by autumn

Lufthansa City Airlines has officially commenced flight operations from Frankfurt Airport, the Lufthansa Group’s largest hub. Following its launch in Munich in summer 2024, the opening of the Frankfurt base marks the next step in the expansion of the Group’s newest airline.

“With our new base and the targeted expansion of our short-haul network, we are simultaneously strengthening our market position and laying the foundation for further growth within the Group,” said Peter Albers, Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa City Airlines.

Initial routes and summer expansion

The inaugural Frankfurt flight, VL946 to Manchester, departed in the late afternoon on 9 February and was operated by an Airbus A320neo (registration D-AIJN).

In February, Berlin and Valencia will join the route network. Düsseldorf and Málaga will follow in March, supported by the deployment of a second aircraft. From summer 2026 onwards, Lufthansa City Airlines plans to expand its Frankfurt network further, adding destinations including London Heathrow, Stockholm, Bilbao, Hamburg, Helsinki, Ibiza, Marseille and Bucharest.

Fleet growth and recruitment drive

By autumn 2026, the airline’s local Frankfurt fleet is set to increase to seven Airbus A320neo aircraft. At its Munich base, Lufthansa City Airlines currently operates 13 aircraft. In 2025, the carrier operated nearly 16,000 flights, transporting around two million passengers to 27 destinations.

The airline is continuing its recruitment campaign to support expansion. Approximately 60 employees have already been hired in Frankfurt. In the coming months, Lufthansa City Airlines expects to recruit an additional 80 cockpit crew and 200 cabin crew members. The airline currently employs around 450 staff.

Since September 2025, Lufthansa City Airlines has been a permanent member of Star Alliance, offering passengers access to a global network and additional benefits.

With the launch of its Frankfurt base and the steady expansion of its European route network, Lufthansa City Airlines reinforces its role within the Lufthansa Group and advances the development of short-haul operations across Europe.