Mumbai, 17 April, 2017 (GPN) : In 2016, 59,000 Indian nationals arrived in Germany’s Munich Airport. Out of this, 45% were transfer passengers while the remaining 52% were non-transfer passengers. Furthermore, 64% of the passengers were business travellers, while leisure and VFR segments contributed 18% and 16%, respectively. Elaborating on these numbers, Corinna Born, Corporate Communications Director, International Media Relations, Munich Airport, said, “From 2006 to 2016, we have witnessed an average growth of 68% in the number of Indians landing in Munich.”

This year, Munich Airport is celebrating its 25th anniversary and by 2030, “our main aim is to make Munich a completely green airport,” said Born. In 2016, Bavaria, a Southeastern state in Germany recorded 140,000 from India, while in 2015 the figure was just above 130,000. Munich is the capital city of Bavaria.

Munich Airport receives 42 million passengers per year and offers connections to 257 destinations. The airport connects to 173 destinations in Europe and 77 globally. In 1992, the year when Munich Airport became operational, it received 12 million passengers, while the figure touched 42 million in 2016.
Munich Airport has been named Europe’s Best Airport at the Skytrax World Airport Awards at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Cologne, Germany.

Munich Airport has, for the ninth time in 11 years, been named Europe’s Best Airport at the 2016 World Airport Awards. Munich Airport also received the Best Airport in Central Europe accolade.

Joining its global counterparts in tapping the Indian outbound air passenger market, European carrier Lufthansa has deployed its latest A350-900 on the Mumbai-Munich route. This new aircraft is configured with 293 seats with 48 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy and 224 in Economy Class. Mumbai is the third destination on Lufthansa’s global network to be served with the A350-900 aircraft, after New Delhi and Boston. “Maharashtra is among our most important markets and our relationship with Mumbai has grown over the years,” said Wolfgang Will, Senior Director South Asia, Lufthansa Group at a press conference in Mumbai today. With this deployment, Lufthansa offers nearly 40 additional seats on the Mumbai route.

Ruling out the possibility of investing in any Indian carrier or starting an airline in India, Will said that Lufthansa Group is an expert in the European market and will remain so.

Currently, Lufthansa has 25 A350 aircraft on order. According to Will, Lufthansa A350-900 is the most modern aircraft, reducing fuel consumption by 25%. “With the A350-900, Lufthansa has reached the 2-litre bracket as the aircraft consumes 2.9 liter fuel per passenger per 100 kms,” he said.

Will said that Lufthansa Group (with subsidiary airlines namely Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Austrian and Eurowings) has declared 2017 as year of innovation & digitalization. “With this dedicated strategy, we are focusing on creating new distribution solutions and enhance corporate sales products.”

Commenting on enchanting frequency on its India routes, Will said that Brussels Airlines started operating five weekly flights to Mumbai recently. “We have plans to increase the frequency to daily operations.” Ends.