Lufthansa’s long-haul leisure brand, Eurowings Discover, is to become the very first intercontinental airline to begin scheduled flights to South Africa’s Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).
The new scheduled service will directly and conveniently link tourists to the Kruger National Park, which has proven to be a very popular choice for German holidaymakers.
According to Travel News, the airline is scheduled to fly three times a week from Frankfurt to Mbombela KMIA, with a short stopover in Windhoek during its first season starting 15 November 2022 to 25 March 2023.
A boost for Kruger tourism
The service will undoubtedly be incredibly beneficial for the residents of the region, bringing in much-needed tourism after the last two years. The nearby cities of Maputo in Mozambique and Mbabane in eSwatini will also likely see some benefit, with both cities being only 200km away from Kruger.
Helmut Woelfel, Chief Commercial Officer of Eurowings Discover said:
“It’s needless to emphasise the attractiveness and popularity of South Africa among European holidaymakers. Our booking figures show that travellers from all over Europe are increasingly drawn to the vastness and beauty of the African continent. We are therefore relying on a versatile Africa programme this year and will continue to expand it in the future.”
Johannes Nobunga, CEO of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) also said:
“This is a game-changing achievement as we intensify the implementation of the Mpumalanga Tourism Recovery Plan after the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry.”
Eurowings Discover offers up to 300 seats, 30 of which are in business class or “lie-flat” seats, up to 31 in premium economy and around 244 in economy. In all three of these classes, the airline provides passengers with a special, high-quality travel experience with all meals and non-alcoholic beverages included in the fare.
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