Following media reports from Germany that Lufthansa was “drastically reducing” its capacity on the South African routes, the Lufthansa Group has reiterated its commitment to SA.
“South Africa remains an important market for the Lufthansa Group and our aim is to enable freedom of travel and mobility, even during the pandemic, while at the same time ensuring protection of our customers’ health,” said a spokesperson of the group in an email to Tourism Update.
The spokesperson responded to a Tourism Update query, saying that currently in the 2020/2021 winter schedule, the Lufthansa Group airlines will continue serving Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Flights from Johannesburg to Zurich will be offered once a week, and from Johannesburg to Frankfurt between four and five times a week. Flights from Cape Town to Frankfurt will also be offered two to three times a week.
The Group said, in general, demand for air travel was expected to remain low in the coming winter months due to the global evolution of the pandemic and the associated travel restrictions.
“The Lufthansa Group will continue to observe the current demand and may adjust routes in the future, if necessary. With the adjustment of the 2020/2021 winter schedule and the reduced use of aircraft, Lufthansa Group airlines will prevent last-minute cancellations as well as fulfil its economic and ecological responsibility.”
Lufthansa was the first international airline to resume scheduled services from Europe to South Africa with the warmly welcomed arrival of LH 572 at OR Tambo at 08h30 on October 1, the day borders opened.
“Lufthansa is delighted to be at the forefront of the resumption of commercial travel into South Africa and proud to reconnect South Africa to Germany with the first international long-haul flight to land in South Africa on the day the travel ban was lifted.
“South Africa remains an attractive destination for both German business travellers and holidaymakers and, as Germany moves into winter, we look forward to bringing visitors back to South Africa and helping to boost the very important tourism sector again. Health and safety continue to be our top priority and we are committed to maintaining a strict adherence to hygiene regulations for all our flights," said Dr André Schulz, GM Southern Africa & East Africa, Lufthansa Group Airlines, when the first flight touched down in SA last month.
