Midlands passenger boom for Lufthansa
AIRLINE Lufthansa saw passenger numbers out of Birmingham Airport increase by more than a quarter 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 Birmingham grew year-on-year by 141, 819 (27.5%).
The airline currently operates 62 flights a week out of Birmingham: 26 to Frankfurt; 19 to Munich; and 17 to Dusseldorf.
“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.”
- Next week: Ian Briggs reports from Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub and discovers how the airline is investing to increase its fleet of Airbus A380 craft.
