It’s confirmed. Lufthansa
has become the latest European airline to announce cuts to its China network, amid weakening demand, heightened costs and strong competition from local airlines. First reported by Aeroroutes, as of end-October, Lufthansa will be suspending flights entirely on its Frankfurt to Beijing route, leaving Munich as the only hub with links to the Chinese capital. It is worth noting that while these cuts to mainland China are significant, Lufthansa also offers flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Shanghai.

Beijing becomes Munich-only

Lufthansa has decided to end flights on the FRA to PEK sector as of October 26. This is also reflected on the carrier’s booking platform, which does not list any non-stop Lufthansa-serviced options on the sector. Instead, codeshare partner Air China
becomes the only remaining passenger operator flying between the two cities.

A Lufthansa Airbus A340-600 flying in the sky.

Photo: The Global Guy | Shutterstock

Lufthansa currently offers daily flights on the route, per Bloomberg, using an Airbus A340-300. It planned to reduce this to five weekly for this coming winter season. According to ch-aviation data, the carrier has 17 planes in its fleet, seven of which are listed as inactive and stored at Teruel Airport. Each Beijing flight from FRA this winter were meant to use its A340-600s, according to Aeroroutes, which offer 281 seats in the following layout:

  • 189 in economy
  • 28 in premium economy
  • 56 in business class
  • 6 in first class

On its Munich (MUC) to PEK flight, Lufthansa will continue to deploy its much more modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft, five times a week.

Lufthansa Airbus A350-900 departing Munich Airport MUC shutterstock_2469416291

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

An expected announcement

Lufthansa had previously hinted earlier this month that it was considering axing its FRA-PEK service. In fact, as reported by Bloomberg, it cited a weakened market position as well as a disadvantageous environment as reasons for the cut. In a statement to Bloomberg, it said:

“European airlines, unlike those from the Persian Gulf and Bosporus, are in an extremely unequal competitive position with China. All airlines from these countries benefit from low location costs, low social standards and high government investment in the aviation sector.”

While it had planned to announce its final decision in October, it seems to have come earlier. When contacted by Simple Flying, Lufthansa was not immediately available for a comment.

European airlines exit China

Lufthansa is now the latest to axe flights to China. Previously announced cuts have already come from British Airways which said it will suspend its four-weekly London Heathrow (LHR) to Beijing Daxing (PKX) flight as of the end of October. Key reasons include the inability to overly Russian airspace prompting higher overall costs. In addition, that specific market faces significant overcapacity.

British Airways Boeing 777-200ER landing

Photo: IanC66 | Shutterstock

Virgin Atlantic will put out of China completely after it announced the suspension of its LHR to Shanghai (PVG) route citing higher costs as a result of Russian airspace restrictions once again. The service will also be axed on October 26.

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