Condor Expands Asia Network with New Sanya Flights
German leisure carrier Condor is set to broaden its Asia-Pacific reach by adding its first destination in China—Sanya. Beginning in July 2025, Condor will launch three weekly flights from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, operating with state-of-the-art Airbus A330neo aircraft. This exciting new route is part of a memorandum of understanding between Condor, the Sanya Tourism Board, and SYX, aimed at boosting tourism and fostering cultural exchange.
Sanya, located on Hainan Island’s southern tip, is celebrated for its pristine beaches, luxurious resorts, and rich cultural attractions, including the renowned Nanshan Temple and Binlang Ethnic Village. Condor CEO Peter Gerber expressed confidence in the new connection, stating, “With the planned launch of the new flight connection and close cooperation with our new partners, we are convinced that we can offer our guests a very attractive new destination for vacation trips in Sanya.”
Currently, Condor serves three Asia-Pacific destinations from Frankfurt: Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, and Male in the Maldives. With flights to Bangkok and Male operating five times per week and Phuket four times weekly, the airline has steadily built a robust network in the region. The addition of Sanya is a strategic move to further capitalize on the growing demand for leisure travel in Asia.
The new Sanya route comes amid broader network restructuring by Condor. Following regulatory shifts and changing competitive dynamics in Europe, Condor is reallocating its resources. In December 2024, Lufthansa ended its long-standing special prorate agreement (SPA) with Condor, replacing it with an interline arrangement. This change reduced feeder traffic at Frankfurt, prompting Condor to discontinue seven North American destinations—Minneapolis/St. Paul, Phoenix, San Antonio, Edmonton, Baltimore, and Halifax—due to their heavy reliance on connecting passengers. However, the U.S. market in Miami remains strong enough to sustain additional capacity.
To offset the reduction in North American routes, Condor is increasing frequencies on high-demand leisure routes and expanding into new markets. In addition to the Sanya launch, the airline recently ramped up services to Bangkok and Phuket, and plans to introduce flights to Panama in June. In Europe, Condor is making strategic adjustments to its short-haul network, including stationing an A320 in Vienna this summer and launching new services from Frankfurt to key cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
Furthermore, the European Commission has recently dropped interim measures against Lufthansa, which initially threatened Condor’s access to feeder traffic on the Frankfurt-New York route. Although the antitrust investigation into Lufthansa’s joint venture with United Airlines and Air Canada continues, this decision provides Condor with a more stable operational environment in Europe.
By expanding into Sanya and realigning its network, Condor aims to offer a broader range of attractive vacation options for leisure travelers while optimizing its route strategy amid evolving market conditions. This expansion not only underscores Condor’s commitment to growth in the competitive Asia-Pacific market but also reflects its proactive efforts to adapt to industry changes and regulatory challenges.
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