Tourexpi
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.
Image
Credit: © Lufthansa Group
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