DALLAS — Lufthansa's newest subsidiary, City Airlines (VL), has revealed details about its operational structure and announced plans to commence flights in the summer of 2024.

The airline aims to serve as a feeder company for Lufthansa's medium- and long-haul network, with a focus on intra-European flights that connect to Lufthansa's intercontinental network. VL will primarily operate out of the Munich (MUC) and Frankfurt (FRA) hubs, contributing to the growth and strengthening of these key airports in Germany.

Jens Fehlinger, the Managing Director of VL, emphasized the goal of creating long-term prospects and sustainable jobs in Germany through VL.

Fleet and Crew Details

City Airlines, which is set to begin operations in the near future, is actively seeking pilots and cabin crew members to staff its aircraft. The company has scheduled a recruitment process for November 2023 to ensure a successful launch.

Initially, the airline will operate with a fleet of Airbus A319 aircraft, which are expected to be transferred from its parent company. However, VL has not ruled out the possibility of incorporating newer generation aircraft such as Embraer and Airbus A220 in the future if necessary.

The establishment of VL marks the final phase of the Lufthansa subsidiary, Cityline (CL), which is being absorbed by the new venture. This transition may also involve the retirement of CL's aging fleet of 28 CRJ-900 aircraft, which have an average age of 14.2 years. The aim is to create a more streamlined fleet comprised mainly of Airbus aircraft.

Additionally, the integration of Air Dolomiti (EN) into VL could result in the removal of the well-known green brand, which currently operates a fleet of 19 Embraer E-Jet family airplanes.

Featured image: Lufthansa Group

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