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Lufthansa to launch flights from Belfast City to Frankfurt

14 Dec 2022 by Hannah Brandler
Ann-McGregor,-Katy-Best,-Mel-Chittock,-and-Marion-Lubbeke-welcoming-the-news-that-Lufthansa-will-begin-flights-from-Belfast-City

Lufthansa has announced plans to commence operations at Belfast City airport, marking the only direct air link between Northern Ireland and Germany.

The German flag carrier will operate four-times-weekly flights to Frankfurt from April 23, 2023, marking the only direct air link between Northern Ireland and Germany.

Flights will be operated by an Embraer aircraft with both business and economy cabins. Fares start at £155 return and are on sale from today.

Flight timings are as follows:

Monday and Friday: departs Belfast 1645, arrives in Frankfurt at 2010

Wednesday and Sunday: departs Belfast 0945, arrives in Frankfurt at 1310

Northern Ireland welcomed almost 65,000 German visitors in 2019, delivering almost £14 million for the economy, according to Tourism Ireland.

This news comes as Lufthansa unveils its 2023 summer schedule, which will also see the airline serve London Gatwick twice daily.

From April 2023, Lufthansa will connect a total of eleven destinations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Katy Best, commercial director at Belfast City airport, commented:

“Attracting an airline such as Lufthansa to Northern Ireland that will provide the only route from the region to Germany is a major win for, not only the airport, but the wider tourism and business industry.

“With Germany being the third-largest market for overseas tourism to the island of Ireland, there is a clear demand for direct connectivity.”

“Frankfurt is an important city for commerce, culture, and tourism, and its airport is one of the busiest in Europe.

“As a base for Lufthansa, Frankfurt is a key destination in its network and gives passengers an attractive option for connecting flights to markets further afield.

“Lufthansa’s commitment to excellent customer service and great value makes it a superb fit for Belfast City Airport, and we look forward to welcoming passengers travelling to Frankfurt and beyond to the terminal.”

Belfast (photo provided by Lufthansa)

Frank Wagner, general manager sales, UK, Ireland and Iceland for Lufthansa Group, added:

“We are excited to announce the addition of Belfast City Airport to Lufthansa’s global network with the inaugural flight to Frankfurt on 23rd April 2023.

“This new nonstop connection will bring Northern Ireland much closer to Frankfurt and to the heart of Western Europe. Connecting passengers will enjoy a convenient and full service connection beyond our hub to our vast network of over 200 destinations in summer 2023.”

The summer 2023 schedule will see Lufthansa serve more than 205 destinations worldwide. This includes new services from Frankfurt to Asturias, Skopje (April 23) and Biarritz (April 29), and new services to Asturias and Bordeaux (April 25) from Munich.

Flights to Osaka and Mexico City will also resume from Munich from May and June respectively.

The number of connections from Frankfurt and Munch will reach 5,200 weekly frequencies, which is up to 87 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

 


Analysis from Business Traveller’s consumer editor Alex McWhirter:

I suspect readers will find Lufthansa’s re-introduction of London Gatwick to be equally of interest.

Back in the 1990s Lufthansa operated B737s from Gatwick to both Frankfurt and Berlin Tegel.

However Lufthansa suspended its Gatwick operation as, from my personal experience, most passengers were leisure rather than business. Instead Lufthansa transferred to London City.

Back in 1992, at a time when I was reporting on the former East Germany, I always remember the Tegel gate agent telling me “Mr McWhirter you have been ‘upgraded’ ”

At that time Lufthansa offered first class and not business class within Europe. So I returned to Gatwick as the sole passenger in the small first class cabin. Economy class was almost fully booked.

lufthansa.com

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