Lufthansa has signed a partnership deal with Singapore Airlines as it seeks to boost its presence in Asia.
The two airline groups operate key routes between Singapore and Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich on a joint venture basis, as well as "significantly" expanding codeshare ties and "deepening commercial cooperation".
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr and SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong sign the agreement
The new SIA service to Dusseldorf, which will be launched in July 2016, will also be covered by the same agreement (see news, November 9).
Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said: "Our intensified partnership with Singapore Airlines is an excellent addition to our global joint venture network and is a cornerstone of our Asia strategy. And all these strategic partnerships will help the Lufthansa Group further consolidate its leading position in all key markets."
Both airlines said travellers will benefit from more connections, joint fare promotions, aligning corporate programmes and strengthening ties with corporate customers.
The deal also includes more than 20 new codeshare routes and this will be expanded in the future.
In addition to SIA and Lufthansa, the agreement includes SIA subsidiary Silkair and Lufthansa subsidiaries Austrian Airlines and Swiss.
lufthansa.com, singaporeair.com
Tom Newcombe