German leisure carrier Condor Airlines has been welcomed back to Antigua on Tuesdays. The airline has recommenced its direct service between Frankfurt and V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU). The airline will operate the route once weekly onboard its Airbus A330-900.
First time since the pandemic
Condor connected European holiday travelers to the golden sand beaches of Antigua and Barbuda until the onset of COVID-19; however, as the post-pandemic thaw has taken time, the carrier has waited until this Northern Hemisphere winter to re-dip its toes. Departing on November 5, the relaunched service departed from Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), at 11:07, 32 minutes behind it’s scheduled departure time of 10:35.
The outbound service took around nine hours and 21 minutes before touching down in Antigua at 17:20. The aircraft was met with a traditional water cannon salute, and airport officials treated disembarking passengers to song and dance. This route will run seasonally once a week until May 6.
Onwards to Punta Cana
Data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft continues to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, dropping off more sun-seeking passengers in the Caribbean. The return service will then operate back to Antigua before departing ANU at 19:10 and arriving back in Frankfurt at 09:20 the following day. The entire rotation from Frankfurt to Antigua, Punta Cana, and back operates under flight DE2272.
The first flight back to Antigua since the pandemic was operated by a relatively new Airbus A330-900 aircraft with registration D-ANRL and serial number 2044. The aircraft is difficult to miss at the airport or in the air, as it is dressed in the airline’s stunning ‘Beige Beach’ livery. According to ch-Aviation, the aircraft joined Condor in June 2023 and is configured with 30 business, 64 premium, and 216 economy class seats.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Speaking at the relaunch of services between Frankfurt and Antigua, The Honorable Charles Fernandez, the Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, made these comments, as reported by eTurboNews:
“The German-speaking market is our second most important European market, and this direct service opens valuable access to Antigua and Barbuda for central European travellers.”
“With the resumption of the connection between Frankfurt and Antigua and Barbuda we offer our guests another great option to enjoy their holiday in this beautiful country. We are delighted to continue our strong partnership with Antigua and Barbuda. The new A330-900neo with the new Business Class is the perfect product for this wonderful destination”
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27 rotations this winter
With one rotation complete, 26 remain across the frosty Northern Hemisphere winter, and locals in Antigua hope that the 310 added seats each week will boost the region economically. Condor announced its plans to relaunch its service to the area earlier this year. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority had been working hard negotiating with the German carrier, and following successful meetings at the International Tourism Market in Berlin, the airline announced its intentions in March.
Photo: AerCap
Condor Airlines, located in Hesse, was first established in 1955 and operates a wide range of short-haul and long-haul leisure-focused, low-cost flights. While the airline does have premium cabins, its network frequencies fluctuate subject to travel seasons. Today, the airline operates 66 aircraft to over 94 destinations worldwide.