Lufthansa plans to add three new long-haul routes during the summer 2022 season, as well a string of new intra-European connections from Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC).
The expansion will see Germany’s flag-carrier offer nonstop flights from Frankfurt to St. Louis Lambert International (STL) in the US state of Missouri. The service will become the US airport’s first nonstop link to mainland Europe since 2001. Flights will be 3X-weekly and begin in June.
“For the first time in nearly two decades, St. Louis will have a direct flight to continental Europe, helping put our city back on the map,” said St. Louis mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “As the economic engine of our region with top-tier health systems, world-class universities, and a thriving arts scene, St. Louis has so much to offer to the international community.”
St. Louis Lambert International believes the route could add between $50 million and $100 million per year to a region’s economy. The last nonstop flight from St. Louis to continental Europe was on TWA to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in September 2001. American Airlines ended nonstop service to London Gatwick (LGW) in October 2003.
“Many of our St. Louis businesses have an international reach so a direct connection to Europe is a critical step to growing our region and making it easier to do business here,” said County Executive Dr. Sam Page. “This is a great moment for our region, and I look forward to building off this exciting announcement to attract new business and industry.”
Lufthansa's summer schedule will also include three new short-haul routes from Frankfurt to Stavanger (SVG) in Norway, Liverpool (LPL) in the UK and Rennes (RNS) in France.
In Munich, the Star Alliance member will station an additional four Airbus A350-900s at the airport, increasing the number deployed at the Bavarian hub to 21. The growth will allow the carrier to start two long-haul routes from March 27, providing service to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and to San Diego (SAN) in the US.
In addition, Bangkok (BKK) will again be served directly from Munich at the start of the summer flight season.
Lufthansa’s European network from Munich will include six new vacation destinations. Flights will be available to Routes Europe 2022 host Bergen (BGO) in Norway, Billund (BLL) in Denmark, Kalamata (KLX) in Greece, Menorca (MAH) in Spain and Varna (VAR) in Bulgaria. Starting in April, Air Dolomiti will serve in Brindisi (BDS) in Italy.
Lufthansa said its low-cost unit Eurowings Discover would also begin flying from Munich at the start of the summer 2022 season. Punta Cana (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic, Cancún (CUN) in Mexico and Las Vegas (LAS) will be served, along with 22 short- and medium-haul tourist destinations in Europe. The airline is taking over the routes from Lufthansa. New destinations include Samos (SMI) and Skiathos (JSI) in Greece.
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