EUROPE’S leading airline group Lufthansa has announced another record year in the GCC and the Middle East, with expectations of more than one million passengers from the region travelling to Germany, Europe and beyond.
Carsten Schaeffer, vice president – sales and services, Southeast Europe, Middle East and Africa says: “With larger aircraft operating from Dubai since summer and an expansion of flights from Saudi Arabia there are more seats available for local passengers and also Europeans to travel to the GCC. The latest figures reflect an increase of more than 10 per cent compared to 2012 and a trust bestowed on the airline specifically for its attractive fares on the premium services and easy connections.”
This year, the airline will introduce the new Premium Economy Class which will be officially launched in March and ready to fly in November.
Schaeffer says: “For us this will be a new milestone and for our customers the experience of a new class of travel. We continue to expect growth in the markets we operate in the Middle East region for 2014. While there may be inevitable changes, Lufthansa will continue to provide the unparalleled service and connectivity that our group can provide.”
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Schaeffer |
Lufthansa will become the first and launch customer of the Boeing 777-9x. From 2020, 34 Boeing 777-9X will join the fleet and a further purchase rights for another 30 are already agreed. Schaeffer adds: “The new airplane will be a perfect fit for markets with a high demand such as China, the US and Dubai.”
Lufthansa will further strengthen its Middle East network. Currently, it has more than 140 weekly flights from 14 destinations. Saudi Arabia will see more flights with a new daily flight on the Dammam-Frankfurt route, seven weekly flights each from Riyadh and Jeddah to Frankfurt and three weekly flights from Riyadh to Munich.
Building on 45 years of services, the airline will continue to roll out its new Business Class with new service elements in air. On the ground various new lounges will open to bring the airline’s global lounge capacity beyond 60,000 sq m. The airlines will also remain committed to focus on family-friendly travel support will be strengthened and, we are building already on 45 years of special service.
Commenting on Dubai’s win to host the Expo 2020, Schaeffer concludes: “There will definitely be an increased economic activity in Dubai and the region. Businesses will be set up, attracting job hunters, tourists, investors and others. This could only mean more traffic to the UAE and both the airline and travel industries are set to benefit from the spike in economic activity.”