AFRICA – The Lufthansa Group will continue to bolster its presence across Africa with all divisions of the world’s leading aviation group, active on the continent and committed to expanding their business as well as local partnerships.
Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG said: “We are looking for ways to embolden our presence in Africa, serving as a bridge not only for the Powerhouse of East Africa, but for the entire continent.”
“For the Lufthansa Group this rich and diverse continent offers our companies new opportunities, building upon a rich heritage of service and dedication that spans over 90 years,” said Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG during a high level management conference held this week in Nairobi.
Known as the annual “Lufthansa Group Market Conference,” the meeting brings together senior managers from the region and the leadership of each division, in order to share ideas for enhancing business activity across a wide spectrum of aviation industry activities.
The Lufthansa Group passenger airline division encompassing Lufthansa German Airlines, SWISS , Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines already serves the African continent with 211weekly flights to 32 destinations.
“Great things are especially happening here in Kenya and we are excited to have resumed service to Nairobi a few months ago,” Mr Spohr said to Transport Principle Secretary Irungu Nayakera following the conclusion of the day’s conference.
Lufthansa plans to “up gauge” its aircraft type on the Nairobi route in the second half of 2016 and increase capacity as Nairobi is one of the top tourism destinations for German as well as European and North American travellers.
Together with SWISS the Lufthansa Group intends to serve Nairobi this summer with nine weekly flights to Zurich and Frankfurt, respectively.
Kenya plays a unique role in the Lufthansa Group, beyond passenger traffic. LSG Sky Chefs is currently building a new facility at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport, opening new opportunities in catering for operators in Kenya’s main gateway.
Lufthansa Cargo is not only supporting Kenyan businesses in shipping exports to Europe and beyond, it is involved in an important Kenyan-based philanthropic project.
One of Lufthansa Cargo’s MD-11 freighter aircraft has now become a flying ambassador for the charity organization Cargo Human Care. Cargo Human Care, founded by Fokko Doyen, captain and fleet chief at Lufthansa Cargo, looks after orphaned children in Nairobi.
The Nairobi conference did not only touch upon passenger traffic to the African continent, but also where Lufthansa Technik, Lufthansa Cargo and LSG Sky Chefs could bolster their activities.
Each of these divisions is a world leader from MRO to logistics and inflight catering, present in Africa’s key market.
“We are looking for ways to embolden our presence in Africa, serving as a bridge not only for the Powerhouse of East Africa, but for the entire continent,” added Mr Spohr.
February 5, 2016; http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Lufthansa-moves-to-strengthen-Africa-presence-/-/539550/3064020/-/fls6pv/-/index.html
