Lufthansa Group CEO: Berlin 'close to our hearts', becoming 'increasingly important'

30 August, 2018

Deutsche Lufthansa AG visited (29-Aug-2018) Berlin Brandenburg Airport, in order to gain insight into the status of the completion of the airport and discuss Lufthansa's strategy for Berlin. Deutsche Lufthansa AG chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr said Berlin "is close to our hearts" and Lufthansa Group airlines operate 780 weekly frequencies to Berlin airports. "Last year alone, we expanded our offer here by almost 30%... With over eight million passengers a year, the capital is a meaningful and attractive market for us, and it is becoming increasingly important", Mr Spohr said. He also expects the completion of Berlin Brandenburg Airport will "open up new opportunities and potential for Lufthansa", adding it is "good news... that the necessary construction work is well on track". As previously reported by CAPA, long haul routes from Berlin decreased 76% in the past 10 years, with Lufthansa stating the lack of hub functionality of Berlin makes long haul routes unviable. [more - original PR - German] [more - Blue Swan Daily analysis]