Lufthansa Expands Summer 2023 Ambitions with New Route Connecting Belfast City Airport to Frankfurt Airport

All direct flights between Northern Ireland and Germany are now exclusively operated by Lufthansa.

Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland is now connected to Lufthansa’s hub at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) with this new route. The new route is a part of the airline’s expansion ambitions for the summer of 2023. Even though summer hasn’t yet arrived, the airline opened the route in anticipation of a significant rise in demand for air travel that it predicts would occur over the following few months. BHD is seen by the airline as more important than just another place to add to its website because it serves as a vital link between Germany and Northern Ireland.

The only direct link between Germany and Northern Ireland will be this new route. Because it will carry both passengers and freight between Frankfurt and Belfast, the airline believes it will be a big success. Although Lufthansa Cargo won’t be operating on this route, its passenger aircraft will still transport cargo. With these services combined, the airline anticipates that Northern Ireland’s citizens will welcome its new service. It expects that by taking this new path, it will solidify its position as a key player at BHD.

The airline has announced that the flight will be run four times per week, according to BBC News. Simple Flying has also been advised by Lufthansa that it will be flown on an Embraer E190. It intends to assess the route’s viability using the peak summer demand. Due to the fact that it will link citizens of Northern Ireland with its extensive network, which serves more than 200 destinations worldwide, Lufthansa executives anticipate the route to be very successful.

Frank Wagner, a representative for the Lufthansa Group, made the following remarks about the new route: “We have decided to give it a go now and connect Belfast to Frankfurt, and via Frankfurt, to over 200 destinations worldwide. We are already seeing it in the booking development now all over Europe, but also further afield to Africa, Asia, and South America. We provide connectivity via Frankfurt, but obviously it will also boost bi-lateral trade between Northern Ireland and Germany.”

The airline announced the FRA-BHD route in December after planning it for months. The two airports would be connected even before it was officially declared by the airlines. Finally, it was determined that the route between FRA and BHD that would be flown four times per week had the most chance of being successful. After the route was formally revealed, airport officials started expressing excitement for the new service.

The Commercial Director of BHD, Katy Best, reportedly discussed the importance of this new route for Northern Ireland in December, according to Belfast Telegraph. Best explained, “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. 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.”