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Disappeared flight connection: Memories of the shortest Lufthansa route
Find out more about what was once the shortest Lufthansa route between Munich and Nuremberg, the reasons for its discontinuation and the consequences for air traffic.
Disappeared flight connection: Memories of the shortest Lufthansa route
Once upon a time, Lufthansa's shortest route was between Munich and Nuremberg - a connection that captivated not only passengers but also critics. Today, at a time when air traffic is picking up again, we look back on this interesting story.
The direct flight route between the two cities stretched over around 150 kilometers and was offered by Lufthansa four times a day until the pandemic. The flight time was just 35 to 40 minutes, which seemed quite tempting compared to the approximately one hour travel time by ICE and under two hours by car. Nevertheless, this connection was viewed by many, including Eike Hallitzky, the then Bavarian Green Party state chairman, as making little sense.
An end to environmental protection
During the Corona pandemic, the time had come: flights were stopped and all air traffic suffered a massive slump. Lufthansa was not spared from this either. Now that travel activity is beginning to recover, it is important to note that this connection has not been brought back to life. Instead, Lufthansa is now offering an express bus from Franconia to Munich Airport, which angers the former airline community.
Environmental protection was cited as the main reason for the closure of the flight route. It turns out that the airline not only considers economic aspects, but also pursues environmental protection, which is becoming more and more important. In further planning, it could well happen that Lufthansa also cancels other connections within Germany if they do not appear profitable.
Review and outlook
Aviation is an ever-changing industry characterized by challenges and opportunities. The turnaround after the Corona crisis is bringing with it a slow increase in air traffic, but at a different level than before the pandemic. Given the ongoing discussion about sustainability and environmental protection, it remains to be seen how the airlines strategically plan their future routes. Perhaps one day the flight between Munich and Nuremberg will take to the air again, but for now it remains a chapter from the past.
In the meantime, the aviation industry will continue to explore new ways to meet travelers' expectations without harming the environment. Whether this will include a return to the old route remains unclear, but one thing is certain: the dialogue about sustainable mobility has opened.