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LUFTHANSA German Airlines will maintain a Philippine presence
despite a decision to end its Manila-Frankfurt flight.
In a statement, Christopher Zimmer, Lufthansa
general manager for the Philippines, Guam and Micronesia said the
company will keep an office in Manila so it could continue to offer
the same level of service and a wide range of travel options and
destinations to Europe and other destinations via Asian gateways.
“The Philippines remains a key market for
Lufthansa, that’s why we maintain a presence in Manila,” Zimmer
said.
“The prospects of being able to create and
offer new and exciting travel options for our local customers
through other Lufthansa Asian gateways like Singapore, Bangkok and
Hong Kong are boundless. Together with the Star Alliance and our
local counterparts, we now enjoy a flexibility that allows us to
provide customers more travel perks while they continue to enjoy the
Lufthansa experience,” he added.
Lufthansa flies to more than 188 destinations in
79 countries. Together with its Star Alliance and bilateral
partners, Lufthansa serves 416 destinations in 100 countries
worldwide, including code share flights.
“The discontinuation of the Manila-Frankfurt
connection is a prudent move that allows Lufthansa to reallocate its
existing resources to tap into the profit potential of emerging
markets,” Zimmer said.
He explained that Lufthansa has major expansion
plans in China and India, currently considered two of the world’s
fastest-growing regions.
“These plans are meant to enhance
Lufthansa’s industry leadership by providing the best travel
options worldwide while ensuring route economy on all legs,”
Zimmer said.
“Manila is one of Lufthansa’s longest
flights out of Europe. And with lesser margins, an imbalance in
passenger mix and, not to mention, the effects of a volatile US
currency, it is only prudent for Lufthansa to cease the Manila
service route for the moment and re-allocate the capacity to new
gateways,” he said.
Lufthansa has made arrangements to accommodate
the rebooking or cancellation of flights for customers that have
existing bookings to and from Manila with flight dates starting
April 2008 free of charge.
-- Darwin G. Amojelar
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