After a 19-year hiatus, Lufthansa’s first direct flight from Munich to Johannesburg touched down at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday (September 3), marking a significant milestone for travel between Germany and South Africa.
It also marks a significant addition to Lufthansa’s network with 34% more seats now offered from Johannesburg.
The service expands Lufthansa's footprint in South Africa. From Johannesburg and Cape Town, Lufthansa Group carriers, Lufthansa, SWISS and Edelweiss now offer a total of 34 weekly connections to Europe from South Africa in the upcoming winter schedule.
The new service will operate year-round on the following schedule:
The flight takes ten and a half hours, making it one of the shortest flight times to Western Europe.
Passengers will travel on the modern, fuel-efficient Airbus A350-900, which accommodates up to 293 passengers across business class, premium economy, and economy class.
On board the inaugural flight was Lufthansa Airlines CEO, Jens Ritter, who symbolically cut the ribbon in Johannesburg to open the new route.
“Munich, with its award-winning airport, is a popular and beautiful city in the heart of Europe. It is also a convenient hub to take advantage of numerous onward 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.
Mpumi Mpofu, CEO of Acsa, said: “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 OR Tambo International Airport.”
The route was previously part of Lufthansa's schedule until 2005.
The Munich flight, 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. It also reconnects South Africa to one of Germany’s most important economic centres.
Munich, with a population of 1.5 million, is renowned for its diverse culture, scenic landscapes, and is the home to major international companies. The city is also famous for its vibrant events, including the annual Oktoberfest and its picturesque Christmas markets.
Rene Koinzack, Senior Director Sales Southern & Eastern Africa, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea Lufthansa Group, concluded: “This inaugural flight is a milestone in our 62-year-long history in South Africa. Connecting Johannesburg with Munich is an exciting match as Bavaria and Gauteng both show a dynamic business environment, having economic ties in many sectors.
“Both destinations are also popular with many leisure travellers who find numerous unique attractions – with the benefit of almost no time difference, therefore no jetlag. This huge capacity increase will also contribute to the tourism sector in South Africa.”
Speaking to Tourism Update at the inaugural flight ceremony, Ritter said the airline was looking to introduce its Allegris cabins – which are already available on the Cape Town-Munich route – to Johannesburg in the middle of next year, depending on the number of aircraft it receives to retrofit the cabins to Allegris.
