German flag-carrier Lufthansa has announced the addition of 15 new tourist-driven destinations to its network for 2021, while simultaneously warning staff to prepare for mass layoffs and the impending announcement of a fleet restructure.
Lufthansa has announced the addition of 15 new tourist destinations to its network for the summer of 2021, as it banks on improved travel conditions and ongoing subdued business travel demand.
Lufthansa has admitted its new tourism-focused strategy, as it struggles to recover from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis thanks to its previous dependence of business travellers.
As such, the new destinations include key holiday destinations across Europe and northern Africa, including new offerings in Greece, Spain, Italy and Tunisia.
According to Lufthansa, most flights are scheduled to depart Frankfurt in the morning, and arrive at their destination in the evening, for travellers to make the most of their time at their destinations.
The new destinations include:
Greece – Corfu, Crete, Mykonos, Kos and Kavala
Spain – Jerez de la Frontera, Canary Islands and Tenerife
Egypt – Hurghada
Cyprus – Paphos
Croatia – Rijeka
Italy – Lamezia Terme
Tunisia – Djerba
Bulgaria – Varna
The news of Lufthansa’s optimistic network expansion comes after airline CEO Carsten Spohr warned staff to brace for mass layoffs, and a significant simplification of its fleet.
Spohr said that international travel restrictions and quarantine requirements have had a “catastrophic effect” on bookings, noting that in October, seat reservations stood at less than 10 per cent of 2019 levels.
The airline chief executive also said the airline might not see a meaningful recovery until 2025, the longest recovery trajectory admitted by an airline to date, noting the airline’s significant reliance on business travellers.
Spohr also spoke of changes to the airline’s fleet, including the acceleration of new A350 deliveries, in order to more quickly retire and replace its older four-engined aircraft, notably its Boeing 747-400s and A340-600s.
The airline intends to retain its Boeing 747-8s for now.
