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FRANKFURT- Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) has received its first brand-new Airbus A320neo at the Airbus factory in Hamburg-Finkenwerder.
The aircraft, registered as D-AIJP and named “Ingelheim am Rhein,” was delivered on Tuesday, April 8th, marking a significant milestone for the carrier’s expansion plans.
Photo: LufthansaRole Within Lufthansa Group
The new aircraft highlights Lufthansa City Airlines’ key position within the Lufthansa Group. The airline focuses on redefining continental traffic to and from the Munich (MUC) hub now, with plans to extend to the Frankfurt (FRA) hub by 2026.
This strategy aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the short-haul network, improve the Lufthansa Group’s market position, and support planned growth on long-haul routes.
“Our new aircraft is a further motivation and incentive for the commitment and excellent work of all our employees, who contribute to the success and growth of our airline every day.”
Peter Albers, Managing Director, Lufthansa City Airlines, following the handover ceremony
Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) is the newest member of the Lufthansa Group family, having launched operations in 2023. The airline was created as part of Lufthansa’s strategy to better compete in the European short-haul market against low-cost carriers.
Operating with a more efficient cost structure than its parent company, Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) maintains the service quality expected from the Lufthansa Airlines (LH) brand while offering more competitive pricing.
The airline primarily serves as a feeder for Lufthansa’s (LH) long-haul operations at its hubs, helping to maintain the strength of Lufthansa’s (LH) network while addressing cost challenges in the highly competitive European aviation market.
This balanced approach aims to preserve Lufthansa’s premium positioning while adapting to changing market conditions and passenger expectations.
Photo: LufthansaEnhanced Passenger Experience
Starting in May, the aircraft, nicknamed “Juliett Papa“, will accommodate 180 passengers. Like all aircraft in the Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) fleet, this A320neo features the new Airspace cabin design.
Passengers will enjoy larger overhead bins, a modern lighting system, and improved seating comfort that maintains Lufthansa’s quality standards.
With this latest addition, Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) now operates 8 aircraft, consisting of four Airbus A319s and 4 Airbus A320neos. The airline’s fleet will continue to grow throughout 2025 with five more brand-new Airbus A320neos and two additional A320neos joining the fleet. By the end of 2025, the airline will operate 15 aircraft.
Further expansion will begin in late 2026 when Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) expects to receive the first of 40 Airbus A220-300 aircraft it has ordered.
Photo: LufthansaGrowing European Network
As its fleet expands, Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) is also adding new destinations to its European route network.
For the summer 2025 flight schedule, the airline will introduce seven new destinations: Barcelona (BCN), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Düsseldorf (DUS), Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Edinburgh (EDI), Seville (SVQ), and Bordeaux (BOD).
These additions will bring the total number of destinations served by Lufthansa City Airlines (VL) to 17.
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Lufthansa City Airlines Operated its Inaugural Flight from Munich
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