June 9, 2016
Contact: Hayne Rainey
For Media Inquiries Only
communications@nola.gov
(504) 658-4945
CONDOR ANNOUNCES NEW NONSTOP SEASONAL SERVICE BETWEEN NEW ORLEANS AND GERMANY BEGINNING MAY 2017
Condor will offer the only non-stop airline service between New Orleans and Frankfurt, Germany, with convenient connections to more than 120 European destinations
NEW ORLEANS - Today, Condor, a premier leisure airline, announced it will begin seasonal service twice weekly from Frankfurt, Germany to New Orleans from May 3, 2017 to September 27, 2017. This is New Orleans' first non-stop flight to Europe since the 1980s. The Frankfurt International Airport is a hub for Condor where passengers can seamlessly connect to more than 120 cities in the Eastern Hemisphere through Condor's extensive network of partner airlines.
"We are ecstatic to welcome Condor, the first transatlantic flight from New Orleans in decades," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "Travelling from Europe to New Orleans and likewise from New Orleans abroad will be much more convenient and efficient. This is a significant milestone as we look forward to welcoming the world for our tricentennial in 2018."
Condor will operate a Boeing 767-300ER equipped with reclining seats and in-flight entertainment at each of the aircraft's 259 seats. This long-haul flight offers at least one free bag, dinner and breakfast, a complimentary welcome drink, and a range of other cold and hot beverages to all its passengers. Flights on Wednesdays will depart Frankfurt at 12:40 p.m. and arrive in New Orleans same day at 4:45 p.m., and depart New Orleans at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and arrive in Frankfurt at 11:15 a.m. on Thursdays. Flights on Sundays will depart Frankfurt at 5:30 p.m. and arrive in New Orleans same day at 9:35 p.m., and depart New Orleans at 11:20 p.m. on Sundays and arrive in Frankfurt at 4:05 p.m. on Mondays. Tickets are now available at www.Condor.com and all other online travel sources. The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau will provide marketing support for the new flight.
"Obtaining non-stop service to Europe has been a top priority for the New Orleans Aviation Board," said New Orleans Aviation Board Chairwoman Cheryl Teamer. "We welcome this new and exciting partnership with Condor."
Director of Aviation Iftikhar Ahmad said, "Since securing non-stop flights to Latin America, we have focused on attaining a European nonstop destination, and we have finally done that. We are very pleased with the announcement of Condor's flight from New Orleans to Frankfurt."
District D Councilmember Jared Brossett said, "Offering direct access to and from Europe and many destinations beyond will have a great impact on the City's economy by bringing nearly 10,000 people to the city seasonally."
"The traveler economy at its core is about driving economic growth and enriching the lives of people." said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We are proud to be able to offer a transatlantic flight that will increase opportunities for our residents and visitors alike."
"GNO, Inc. is proud to welcome Condor to Greater New Orleans, reestablishing non-stop air service between New Orleans and Europe," said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. "This will strengthen our historical ties with Europe and improve efficiency for both Louisiana and European businesses, particularly in the petrochemical industry. The establishment of non-stop air service between New Orleans and Europe fulfills a top priority for our region - it is one new flight for our airport, but one giant leap forward for post-Katrina Louisiana."
"We are very pleased to introduce this new link between New Orleans and Frankfurt, giving Louisiana and Mississippi and other states in the South a unique choice for their travels to Germany" states Jens Boyd, Group Head of Long-Haul at Condor. "And with our numerous partner airlines we offer flights beyond Frankfurt to over 120 destinations across Europe at very competitive prices. Furthermore, New Orleans, as the birthplace of Jazz is a very attractive destination for European tourists and we also will stimulate traffic from this direction."
###
About Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is the primary commercial airport in the State of Louisiana serving over 80 percent of all passengers flying into the State. The Airport is owned by the City of New Orleans. The New O rleans Aviation Board (NOAB), an unattached board of the City of New Orleans, oversees the administration, operation and maintenance of the Airport. With this announcement by Condor Airlines, the Airport now has 15 airlines providing service to 54 non-stop destinations, including five international destinations. A new world-class terminal complex is currently being constructed. The new North Terminal will be complete by October 1, 2018, in time for the 300th anniversary of the City of New Orleans. For more information, visit www.flymsy.com.
About Condor
Condor Flugdienst GmbH has been flying its passengers to the world's most beautiful holiday destinations since 1956. On an annual basis, 7 million passengers fly with Condor to around 75 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Since 2013, the German airline Condor, along with Scandanavia, has been a part of the Thomas Cook Group Airlines. The fleet of the airlines in the Thomas Cook Group comprises 88 modern and environmentally friendly aircraft, of which 40 aircraft are in the Condor fleet: 12 Airbus A320s, 3 Airbus A321s, 13 Boeing 757-300s and 12 Boeing 767-300s. The aircraft are maintained by the airline's own technical operations. In a representative survey of Focus and Focus Money, called "Mit gutem Gewissen," Condor was elected the most environmentally sustained airline and received the sustainability prize in 2014. Condor is co-initiator of the four-liter campaign of the federal association of German aviation (BDL): German aviation consumption of kerosene is less than 4 liters per passenger on 100 kilometers.