City Airlines Set for Summer 2024 Debut, Aiming to Strengthen Lufthansa’s Short-Haul Network

City Airlines, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, has officially confirmed its launch in the summer of 2024, signaling a strategic move to enhance short-haul feeder flights for Lufthansa. The airline, equipped with A319-100s, is set to commence recruitment for cockpit and cabin crews in November 2023.

Having obtained its air operator certificate (AOC) in June, City Airlines plans to operate from Munich and Frankfurt International airports, in collaboration with Lufthansa CityLine. The objective is to provide crucial short-haul feeder flights to support the growth of Lufthansa’s long-haul operations. This move aligns with the Lufthansa Group’s vision of strengthening the two hubs and expanding the short-haul network.

The airline group emphasized the importance of competitive short-haul connectivity for maintaining the market position of the Lufthansa Group and facilitating the planned growth in the long-haul segment in the German market.

City Airlines will initially kick off its operations with A319s, potentially sourced from Lufthansa, and is also considering incorporating other aircraft of similar size, such as A220s or Embraers. The airline’s fleet currently includes a single A319-100, D-AILX (msn 860), acquired from Lufthansa CityLine to fulfill AOC requirements.

Jens Fehlinger, Managing Director of City Airlines, expressed the company’s commitment to creating long-term prospects and securing sustainable jobs in Germany. The strategic move aims to foster growth and strengthen the hubs in Munich and Frankfurt.

Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr revealed plans to equip City Airlines with 40 narrow-body aircraft, with options including 120 to 140-seater Embraer E-jets or A220s. A decision on the aircraft type is anticipated during this IATA winter.

In an effort to streamline operations, City Airlines will absorb pilots from the former subsidiary, germanwings, which ceased flight operations in 2021. The launch, initially expected in mid-2023, faced delays due to extensive labor negotiations. These negotiations resulted in the establishment of the Lufthansa Group Collective Bargaining Commission, centralizing collective labor negotiations within the group and paving the way for City Airlines’ much-anticipated debut in 2024.