The Lufthansa team after touching down at OR Tambo International Airport. Picture: Supplied
South Africa’s Tourism Month commemoration kicked off with Lufthansa announcing the launch of its new nonstop long-haul service between Johannesburg and Munich Germany.
The airline’s inaugural flight made a touch down at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on September 3, 2024, and had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate this new connection.
According to Lufthansa, the new service will operate year-round from Johannesburg, with flights scheduled every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday morning and passengers will travel on the modern and fuel-efficient Airbus A350-900, which accommodates up to 293 passengers across Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.
“With the flight departing Johannesburg at 8.20 am, travellers now have an alternative travel time to Europe. It touches down at Munich airport at 6.50 am, in 10 ½ hours, making it one of the shortest flight times to Western Europe,” said the airline.
The Munich route, one of Lufthansa’s two major hubs, opens up around 130 global destinations for South African travellers, including Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East.
This route had previously been part of Lufthansa’s schedule until 2005 and is poised to reconnect South Africa to one of Germany’s most important economic centres.
Commenting on this, Airports Company South Africa CEO, Mpumi Mpofu, said they are delighted to welcome the reintroduction of Lufthansa’s direct route between Munich and Johannesburg, which offers significantly more seats per week to travellers between Germany and South Africa.
“The nonstop connection between Munich and Johannesburg will undoubtedly boost bilateral trade, create jobs and contribute to the overall economic prosperity of both respective regions.
“It will also improve South Africa’s position as a main player in the global aviation network. Lufthansa Airlines has been a pivotal partner in enhancing the aviation landscape at O.R. Tambo International Airport,” said Mpofu.
Lufthansa’s CEO, Jens Ritter, said Munich, with its award-winning airport, is a popular and beautiful city in the heart of Europe and it is also a convenient hub to take advantage of numerous onwards flights.
“Our customers in South Africa will have more choice and travel options departing from Johannesburg, as this new connection complements our daily service to Frankfurt.
“Both routes are priced at the same level, providing passengers with flexibility to even combine both routes,” said Ritter.