Tourexpi
Lufthansa City Airlines opens Frankfurt base
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
The most interesting news
Read the News
Gobeklitepe Welcomes More Than 4.4 Million Visitors Since UNESCO Recognition
World's oldest known temple continues to strengthen southeastern Türkiye's appeal as a cultural tourism destination
Read the News
WTTC and UNEP Launch Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Sustainable Tourism
New alliance will promote circular economy, biodiversity protection and measurable environmental action across the global Travel & Tourism sector
Read the News
British Airways Celebrates 80 Years of US Service with Major Lounge Investment
Airline marks transatlantic milestone while unveiling plans to enhance premium customer experience across the United States
Read the News
Deutsche Bank Expands SAF Partnership with Lufthansa Group
Investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 5,500 tonnes
Read the News
Ryanair Urges Delay of EU Entry-Exit System Until September
Airline warns of longer border control queues during the summer holiday peak and calls for governments to postpone the EES rollout
Read the News
Marriott International Selects The Coca-Cola Company as Global Beverage Partner
Strategic agreement expands beverage choices across Marriott's worldwide hotel portfolio
Read the News
Vietnam Airlines Launches Direct Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket Service
New route marks the first milestone of TAT's partnership with Vietnam Airlines and strengthens regional tourism links
Read the News
Traveloka and Marriott International Expand Partnership Across Southeast Asia
Multi-year agreement gives Traveloka users direct access to Marriott's global hotel portfolio
Read the News
Taiwan Tourism Showcases Year-Round Experiences in Australia and New Zealand
Three-city roadshow strengthens trade partnerships and highlights Taiwan's growing appeal to regional travellers
Read the News
IHG Expands Greater China Portfolio with New Hotel Openings in Second Half of 2026
New properties across major cities, transport hubs and leisure destinations strengthen the group's multi-brand presence
Read the News
Marella Cruises launches new brand campaign celebrating authentic travel memories
Integrated campaign targets travellers over 40 with a fresh perspective on cruising
Read the News
Ko Samui Named Asia Pacific's Best Island at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026
Thailand secures five top destination rankings, with Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Chang and Chiang Mai also recognised
Read the News
Temple of Apollo Opens for Evening Visits Under Türkiye's Night Museum Programme
Ancient sanctuary in Didim offers visitors a new way to experience one of the world's most important oracle sites during the summer season
Read the News
Wego and Tourism Malaysia launch partnership to boost travel from the Middle East
Joint campaign will promote Malaysia's diverse experiences ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
Read the News
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Unveils Extraordinary Christmas and New Year Voyages for 2026/2027
Luxury and expedition ships will celebrate the festive season from the Caribbean to Antarctica
Read the News
TAT’s CF-Hotels Platform Wins Green Leadership Award at AREA 2026
Recognition highlights Thailand’s efforts to transform low-carbon tourism policy into measurable action across the hotel sector
Read the News
Agoda Highlights Cool-Climate Destinations Across Asia Pacific for Summer Travelers
From New Zealand's winter landscapes to Malaysia's highlands, the travel platform recommends refreshing escapes from the summer heat
Read the News
Eurowings Celebrates GNTM Winner Aurélie with WINGS Magazine Cover
Flight attendant and Germany's Next Top Model winner becomes the face of the airline's summer in-flight magazine
Read the News
International Visitors Expected to Spend Nearly €64 Billion in Spain This Summer
Tourism spending is forecast to outpace visitor growth again as Spain prepares for another record summer season
Read the News
IHG Surpasses 200 Hotels in Canada as Expansion Continues
New openings and upcoming brand launches strengthen the company's long-term growth strategy
Read the News
Harbour City Celebrates Toy Story 5 with Large-Scale Hong Kong Carnival
Immersive attractions, interactive experiences and exclusive exhibitions transform the waterfront destination into a Toy Story universe
