LUFTHANSA TO START DIRECT SERVICE FROM HONG KONG TO MUNICH

Excellent onward connections to Eastern Europe

Lufthansa is to become the first airline to offer direct flights from Hong Kong to Munich, the biggest city in southern Germany and a gateway to Eastern Europe.

Under a new schedule, coming into effect next March 25, the airline will continue to run 10 non-stop flights a week to Europe. Three weekly Hong Kong night flights will now go to Munich, where Lufthansa provides fast and smooth connections to Eastern European cities and the rest of Germany. Seven daily flights will continue to serve its Frankfurt hub.

Lufthansa's 350 flights a week to Eastern Europe make it by far the largest provider of air services to the region. It is also the only airline offering passengers a choice of day or night flights from Hong Kong to Europe.

The Hong Kong to Munich service, using Airbus 340 long-haul aircraft, will operate from Hong Kong on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, returning on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It will leave Hong Kong at 2305, arriving next day at 0600 local time. Flights from Munich will depart at 2130, landing in Hong Kong at 1530 the next day.

"This new route adds a new dimension to our service from Hong Kong," said Juergen Thomsen, Lufthansa’s General Manager for Southern China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.

"Munich is a wonderful city. Not only is it a gateway to Eastern Europe, but it is a major business centre, especially for high tech industries. BMW and Siemens have their headquarters there."

Mr Thomsen added: "There is plenty for tourists to enjoy as well. There is the world famous Oktoberfest and the beer garden experience, as well as a large number of museums, art galleries, concert halls and historical buildings. Munich is also the capital of the state of Bavaria, which is famous for its beautiful mountains and forests."

First Class and Business Class passengers arriving from Hong Kong will be able to rest in a comfortable dayroom at the five-star Kempinski Hotel in Munich with access to a pool, sauna, fitness room and business centre. The service is free of charge for First Class passengers and at a special rate for Business Class.

Under Lufthansa's new winter 2000/2001 schedule also announced recently, its Frankfurt and Munich hubs will see increased activity, with the number of flights between Frankfurt and Barcelona rising from 28 to 35. Two extra flights, from Frankfurt to Valencia and Manchester respectively, will also feature.

From Munich, an additional seven flights will be made to Toulouse in France (from 14 to 21) and an extra 15 flights to Dusseldorf (from 83 to 98) every week. There will also be an additional daily flight from Hamburg to London Heathrow (from 47 to 54) – including the flights operated ex Hamburg to London-Stansted by Star Alliance partner, British Midland.

Lufthansa has been named “Airline of the Year 2000” by Air Transport World, the internationally famous aviation magazine and is the official airline for EXPO 2000 at Hannover. It was recently placed fourth in the airline section of Fortune magazine's list of the world's most admired companies and corporations.

Lufthansa German Airlines is one of the world’s leading international airlines. As a founding member of the Star Alliance, it has developed one of the most comprehensive alliance networks in the industry, with partnerships serving all six continents.