Lufthansa to Launch City Airlines in 2024
Joe Cortez October 25, 2023
Lufthansa Group announced the launch of City Airlines, with a planned launch in the summer of 2024.
Lufthansa City Airlines to Focus on Feeder Flights for Major Hubs
Founded in 2022, the newest subsidiary of Lufthansa Group only earned its German Air Operator Certificate in June 2023. The airline will focus on short-haul flights as a feeder network for international routes out of Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Munich Airport (MUC).
The new carrier will begin operations with a fleet of Airbus A319 aircraft, but may soon expand to smaller, regional airframes. City Airlines is also considering adding the Airbus A220 and other Embraer aircraft in the future.
City Airlines is also committed to adding more sustainable jobs in the European aviation sector. The company is recruiting both internal candidates to switch to the new company, as well as external English-speaking pilots. The carrier is prioritizing hires with previous airline experience. Recruitment for City Airlines will begin in November 2023.
“With City Airlines, we want to create prospects for the coming decades and secure sustainable jobs in Germany,” Jens Fehlinger, managing director of City Airlines, said in a press release. “This is the only way for us to grow and sustainably strengthen the hubs in Munich and Frankfurt.”
The move comes as Lufthansa looks to expand their international influence both in Germany and around the world. Earlier in 2023, the company acquired a 41% stake in Italy’s ITA Airlines, allowing it to operate independently while taking advantages of “synergies” within Lufthansa Group.
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Feature image courtesy: Lufthansa Group
