By Arturo Higueras
Lufthansa Signs New Codeshare Agreement with airBaltic
Lufthansa is one of the largest operators in the world with different network airlines under the same group and destinations all over Europe, America, Asia and Africa. However, the carrier is continuously looking for new opportunities in the market and for new ways to grow.
In that trend, Lufthansa has signed with airBaltic a new codeshare agreement that will start in function from March 28. AirBaltic is the biggest airline of the Baltic republics and has its home base in Riga International Airport, Latvia. It operates a fleet of 25 aircraft, all of them Airbus A220-300s, with 25 more in order.
This new codeshare agreement opens a wide variety of new opportunities for both carriers focusing on connections between their hubs. Starting March 28, Lufthansa will begin to operate flights connecting Munich’s Franz Josef Strauss Airport in Germany with Riga International, Latvia and Vilnius International, Lithuania. With those new connections, Baltic passengers can now take advantage of Lufthansa’s vast network.
Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, said, “Lufthansa is a strong connectivity provider globally, and we are pleased to strengthen our partnership and the air traffic ties between the Baltics, Germany and beyond. Germany is one of airBaltic’s key markets and we are looking forward to the partnership and through that offering better travel opportunities to the passengers around the world.”
Moreover, Lufthansa is member of the Star Alliance, while airBaltic is not a member of any airline alliance. The Baltic States –Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – have been among the fastest-growing summer destinations during the last years and this will be a great opportunity for the German carrier.
Heiko Heidusch, Head of Airline Partnerships Lufthansa Group, said, “We are pleased to start this new cooperation with airBaltic, and to further strengthen our network in the Baltic states, which is a strong market for both business and leisure customers. In airBaltic we have found a very reliable partner and together we can offer more possibilities to travel to the Baltic states via Munich.”
Last week, airBaltic also announced its continuous expansion of the network operated from Riga. The carrier intends to go back to “normality” as soon as possible and has managed to offer 14 different destinations from its Latvian hub. Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Oslo, Palanga, Paris, Stockholm, Tallinn, Vilnius and Zurich are connected to Riga with airBaltic´s Airbus A220-300. Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “For many people, who need to travel for essential reasons, aviation is the safest mode of transportation. Our commitment to the Baltic markets means that we still perform safe flights on the most significant routes while the overall passenger demand is low.”
Arturo joined AirlineGeeks in 2020 as a writer. He is a Spanish Aerospace Engineer who recently completed his undergraduate studies at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He has always been passionate about aviation and, in addition to his engineering knowledge, he is now completing a Master’s Degree in Air Transport Management at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. Being passionate about journalism, he has been part of several online magazine projects, he will now be covering aviation news from Europe.
