Lufthansa hails growth in Manchester passenger numbers

LUFTHANSA saw passenger numbers out of Manchester Airport increase by more than a fifth over the first four months of 2011 as customers continue to look for “real value”, its UK and Ireland general manager has said.

Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com at its major Frankfurt Airport hub in Germany, Marianne Sammann said: “We were carefully optimistic about how 2011 would develop so we’re really pleased with the start to the year.”

Between the start of January and the end of April, passenger numbers out of Manchester grew year-on-year by 218,089 (21.8%).

The airline operates 87 flights a week from Manchester to Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf and most recently Stuttgart. Some 60% of passengers flying to Germany fly onwards with Lufthansa, with Asia, the Middle East and North America strong onward destinations.

“We’re a commercially sound and healthy company,” Ms Sammann said. “Our passengers are looking for a carrier of trust but they also want a carrier that offers real value for money.”

Ms Sammann its price offers – Lufthansa offers flights to Germany starting at £89 – were complemented by services including mobile phone check-in and bag allowance prices being frozen.

“For 2011 we are on track,” she said. “We have made sensible investments such as short-haul flights and we’re on track against a background which you can’t say is bouyant or bullish. It’s certainly good news.”

Ms Sammann refuted the suggestion that holidaymakers are staying in the UK because of tough economic climate.

“If you look at our sales I don’t feel that,” she said. “Our passengers in Europe buy online and we’ve seen fantastic growth online.

“People do need a break and it’s still a good market. Fares are still good.”