GMR Hyderabad International Airport, in collaboration with Lufthansa Airlines, launched direct flights connecting Hyderabad to Frankfurt, Germany from 17 January. The development marks a significant stride in positioning Hyderabad as a global hub for trade, travel, and commerce.
According to official information from the airport, the direct flights, operating five times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday), offer seamless connectivity between Hyderabad and Frankfurt.
Flight LH753 will depart from Hyderabad at 01:55 hours, reaching Frankfurt at 07:05 hours. The return flight, LH752, will depart from Frankfurt at 10:55 hours, landing in Hyderabad at 23:55 hours.
The timing of Lufthansa's flights caters to the growing trend of Indian passengers choosing European airports as transit hubs for North American travel. The Dreamliner aircraft, with its quiet cabin, spacious interiors, new lighting concept, and innovative windows, promises an enhanced travel experience for passengers.
Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport, expressed excitement about the new flight services, and stated, "This connectivity will benefit travellers visiting Frankfurt as a transit point or for leisure trips and would open up multiple destinations in Europe, USA, Canada, and South America via Frankfurt. It has been our priority to connect our passengers to global destinations from the city of Hyderabad. This is a step in that direction and an important milestone for the Hyderabad airport."
George Ettiyil, Senior Director - South Asia, Lufthansa Group, highlighted the strategic importance of India to Lufthansa, with the new Hyderabad-Frankfurt service expanding the airline's capacity by 14 per cent relative to 2019. He emphasised the significance of India as the fastest-growing major market for Lufthansa.
The surge in passenger demand is evident, with nearly 400,000 passengers travelling from Hyderabad to Europe between January and October 2023, marking a 39 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
This reflects the strong desire for European travel among Indians, underlined by India ranking third globally in Schengen visa applications.
Hyderabad's multifaceted growth, spanning aerospace, defence, IT, and life sciences, positions it as a dynamic hub for business, innovation, and global travel. The launch of direct flights to Frankfurt signifies GMR Hyderabad's commitment to propelling the city's growth and connectivity on the global stage.
Future plans include the commencement of new flights to South East Asia, CIS, Africa, Australia, Europe & USA regions, further expanding the airport's reach and offering convenient travel options to passengers.
This new chapter promises exciting opportunities for Hyderabad, consolidating its position as a thriving global hub.