Liverpool's business leaders say a new air link from the city to Frankfurt that will give the city connections to dozens of global cities could be a massive boost to the local economy.
Lufthansa Airlines has announced it will offer nonstop flights for the first time from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to its main hub in Frankfurt from May 4 next year.
This will be the first time in its 66 years’ history in Britain that Lufthansa will take off at Liverpool.
READ MORE: Victorian Plumbing's billionaire founder Mark Radcliffe increases stake
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "Our area is an international destination of choice renowned for our unique blend of sport, culture, music and heritage.
"Today’s announcement is fantastic news that will give us much better connections to Europe and beyond, whether for tourism or business.
"Only last week, I met with Andreas Michaelis, the German Ambassador to discuss how we can strengthen the links between our region and Germany.
"From our twinned towns and cities, cultural ties stretching from The Beatles to Jürgen Klopp and centuries of trading relationships, we have strong foundations to build on.
"We’re looking forward to welcoming Lufthansa for the first time next year – along with the many, many visitors they’ll be taking to and from our region. I’m sure that once people have visited us, they’ll be back time and time again."
Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, added: "This new route is fantastic news for international tourists and Liverpool City Region’s ambitions to connect to global markets from one of Europe’s major hubs.
"It means more European and international travellers can enjoy our exciting 2022 events programme and world-famous visitor experience.
"Liverpool has enduring cultural and sporting connections with Germany. From The Beatles second home in Hamburg to Jürgen Klopp’s love affair with the city, we are delighted to welcome another German icon to Liverpool next year."
Paul Cherpeau, CEO of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said: "Liverpool Chamber and it’s members will be delighted by the news of Lufthansa’s decision to add LJLA to its global network.
"Liverpool’s status as a global city is reflected positively in this announcement which will provide a boost to our connectivity to additional markets for business and leisure activities, enhancing our ability to expand our export and inward investment opportunities whilst catalysing the rebuilding and growth of our airport."
Heinrich Lange, senior director sales Northern Europe Lufthansa Group Airlines, said: "Lufthansa will be the first global network airline in Liverpool with easy reach to destinations on four continents.
"As a premium carrier we will be the only airline at John Lennon Airport to offer seats in business class and all the amenities of a full service approach.
"This new route is also good news for incoming business; Liverpool is among the five most visited cities in the UK, known as the city of music, football and trade and will benefit tremendously from this new international route."
John Irving, CEO Liverpool John Lennon Airport, added: "It has been a long held desire of both the Airport and the city region as a whole to reconnect Liverpool with the world and we are therefore absolutely delighted to be welcoming Lufthansa to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
"To be able to connect Liverpool globally via Frankfurt will bring huge benefits to the business sector across our region both now and into the future and of course will now enable the world to easily connect into Liverpool to visit our brilliant city and the surrounding areas.
"Lufthansa is such an iconic, five star airline. The links that their global network and that of their Star Alliance partner airlines brings are second to none and in partnership with key stakeholders across the region, we are looking forward to working with Lufthansa in preparation for the commencement of this important new route in May 2022."
