Lufthansa to add MORE UK airports to its route map

The German flag carrier plans to link additional UK gateways with Frankfurt from next year.

Lufthansa is expanding its presence in the London market after confirming intentions to launch services to Gatwick – complementing existing links to neighbouring Heathrow and London City airports.

From April 23, 2023 the West Sussex gateway is set to be flown twice-daily by the flag carrier from its Frankfurt hub. As a result, the route to Germany’s financial capital will provide travellers with onward connection opportunities to a plethora of global destinations.

Heinrich Lange, senior director sales Northern Europe, Lufthansa Group Airlines, said: “Lufthansa is happy to operate to London/Gatwick next summer to connect this major airport with our hub in Frankfurt. We come closer to our customers in the south of London and will ease the access to our global network. We are glad to have Gatwick as our third London airport served in our timetable.”

Lufthansa previously launched a Gatwick-Frankfurt connection around a decade ago and, at that time, was flown mostly by its now-retired Classic Boeing 737-300/500 fleets.

London/Gatwick's easily recognisable ATC tower is seen here
London/Gatwick's easily recognisable ATC tower is seen here Gatwick Airport Limited

Elsewhere, the airline is also scheduled to link Belfast City with Frankfurt from April 23, 2023. With flights operating up to four-times-weekly, thanks to the move, this will be the only direct air link between Northern Ireland and Germany.

Katy Best, commercial director at Belfast City Airport, commented: “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.

“With Germany being the third-largest market for overseas tourism to the island of Ireland, there is a clear demand for direct connectivity.”

Dr Frank Wagner, general manager sales, UK, Ireland and Iceland for Lufthansa Group, added: “This new non-stop connection will bring Northern Ireland much closer to Frankfurt and to the heart of Western Europe. Connecting passengers will enjoy a convenient and full-service connection beyond our hub to our vast network of over 200 destinations in summer 2023.”

Once Gatwick and Belfast City come online, Lufthansa will fly to 11 airports across the United Kingdom.