Lufthansa's Discover Expands at Munich Airport, Becoming Largest Holiday Airline

Explore Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, is significantly expanding its operations at Munich Airport, establishing itself this largest holiday airline at the location. The airline will station five short-haul aircraft at Munich, operating around 70 weekly flights to 23 Mediterranean and Canary Islands destinations.

This expansion of Eurowings at Munich Airport has significant implications for the airline industry and travel market. It may lead to increased competition and potentially lower prices for travelers, which could also create new job opportunities and stimulate local economies.

Starting in March 2025, Explore Airlines will introduce three new long-haul destinations from Munich: Orlando, Florida; Windhoek, Namibia; and Calgary, Canada. These routes will be serviced by two Airbus A330s, offering travelers more choices and flexibility with year-round service.

Bernd Bauer, CEO of Explorer Airlines, emphasized the significance of this expansion, stating, "The expansion of our operations in Munich is an important milestone for us... With this step, we are consistently focusing on our goal of expanding Lufthansa's offering at the two major German hubs with versatile, attractive holiday options, offering travelers even more choice."

Jost Lammers, Chairman of the Management Board of Munich Airport, also highlighted the importance of Eurowings Discover's growth, saying, "The leisure carrier is one of the largest airlines based at Munich Airport, and as a combination of tourist and hub carrier, fits perfectly into the Lufthansa Group network."

With this expansion, Eurowings will solidify its position of being the largest leisure airline at Munich Airport, offering around 30 holiday destinations in its flight schedule. The airline will base a total of seven aircraft and around 400 crew members in Munich.

This summer, Explore Airlines will operate a wide range of flights on short and medium-haul routes, including new destinations such as Marrakesh, Samos, and Varna. The airline will also offer flights to popular destinations like Ibiza, Mallorca, and Crete.

Explore Airlines' expansion at Munich Airport marks a significant development in the airline's strategy to enhance its holiday offerings. The introduction of new long-haul destinations and the increase in short-haul flights will provide travelers with more options and flexibility.

Key Takeaways

• Eurowings expands operations at Munich Airport, becoming largest holiday airline.
• 5 short-haul aircraft to operate 70 weekly flights to 23 Mediterranean destinations.
• 3 new long-haul destinations: Orlando, Windhoek, and Calgary, starting March 2025.
• Eurowings to base 7 aircraft and 400 crew members at Munich Airport.
• Expansion to offer more choices and flexibility for travelers, stimulating local economies.