Inaugural flight of new Dusseldorf-Cardiff Lufthansa route
Published: 02 May 2013
The inaugural flight of the Lufthansa direct route from Dusseldorf, Germany will arrive at Cardiff Airport at 11.35am on May 4. The new flight will strengthen Cardiff Airport’s route network and will give a direct gateway for the German market, which is a key market for tourism in Wales.
On average 90,000 visitors from Germany come to Wales each year and spend around £31 million. The new tourism strategy for Wales which will be launched in the summer identifies Germany as a key market for growth.
Lufthansa flight from Dusseldorf arrives at Cardiff Airport on Saturday 4th May. In line with aviation tradition, a water cannon salute from the Airport’s fire engine will take place on arrival (weather dependent) followed by a welcome reception. Delegates will walk into arrivals hall for an overview of the work that is underway to revamp in-bound walkways and public areas with art and multimedia installations to give travellers a bright welcome celebrating and promoting Wales’ vibrant culture, heritage and landscape.
To take advantage of this new route, Visit Wales launched a marketing campaign in the Dusseldorf region in March which will continue until the end of May to encourage the consideration of Wales as a summer holiday destination.
A group of tour operators and journalists from Germany will be on the inaugural flight to Cardiff. Visit Wales has organised a familiarisation visit for them which will take them from south Wales to north Wales giving them a flavour of what Wales has to offer.
Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, said: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to those travelling on this inaugural flight from Germany – this new route is an exciting development for Cardiff Airport and Wales. I expect that their visit to Wales will encourage more tour operators to include Wales in their brochures and programmes which will help in making Wales more accessible as a holiday destination to more German visitors.”
Journalists from key German titles will also accompany the group, experiencing the highlights of Cardiff, Brecon, Snowdonia and Denbighshire.
Jon Horne, Chief Executive of Cardiff Airport commented, “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Lufthansa to Cardiff, having such a prestigious national carrier is an important step for Cardiff and Wales.
“We hope that a successful initial service for Lufthansa will lead to further services between Germany and Wales.”
The familiarisation visit will include Radisson Blu Hotel; Cardiff, Cardiff Bay; Chapel 1877; St Fagans National History Museum; Llanerch Vineyard; Cardiff Castle; National Museum of Wales, Cardiff ; Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery; The Coach House Hotel, Brecon; The Castle Cottage Restaurant with Rooms, Harlech; Portmeirion; Welsh Highland Railway; Caernarfon Castle; Plas Newydd Country House; Llechwedd Slate Caverns, The Royal Oak Hotel, Betws y Coed; Bodnant Food Centre and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.