Eurowings, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, is planning to add new destinations in the Middle East as part of its 2024-2025 winter schedule. Following its successful routes to Dubai, the airline recently announced flights to Jeddah and Cairo.
The German budget airline is now exploring potential routes to Red Sea cities in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, targeting leisure travelers. Eurowings’ CEO, Jens Bischof, stated that the airline is also considering destinations in Oman, the UAE, and the wider Gulf region.
“We’re focusing on routes that are either overpriced or underserved,” said Mr. Bischof. He highlighted the potential in the Gulf and Red Sea regions, pointing to opportunities in Oman and unutilized destinations in the UAE.
The airline is collaborating with German tour operators and local tourism boards to identify high-demand areas and create attractive travel packages. According to Mr. Bischof, developing these destinations requires careful planning to ensure they meet the expectations of travelers, especially as emerging projects like Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea developments take shape.
New Aircraft for Non-Stop Middle East Flights
To support its expansion, Eurowings is integrating Airbus A320 Neo aircraft into its fleet, enabling non-stop flights with full passenger loads to the Middle East. “We want to grow our Middle East portfolio with competitive, value-for-money services catering to tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family,” Mr. Bischof explained.
With over 30 years of operations, Eurowings flies to more than 100 destinations across 50 countries. Its fleet includes approximately 100 Airbus aircraft, and it operates from five German bases: Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Stuttgart, and Dusseldorf.
Flights to Jeddah and Cairo
This winter, Eurowings will operate new routes to Jeddah from Berlin and Cologne-Bonn, offering three flights weekly. These flights aim to attract both business and leisure travelers, with Mr. Bischof citing growing interest in Neom, AlUla, and other Saudi development projects. Additionally, Eurowings has launched flights to Cairo, with two weekly departures from Dusseldorf.
The airline reported a strong initial response, with load factors exceeding 75% for these new routes, which shows promising growth potential.
Dubai Routes to Expand
Eurowings has also increased its Dubai services, adding daily flights from Berlin and up to four weekly flights from Stuttgart. Additionally, Cologne-Bonn will serve as a new departure point, with three weekly flights to Dubai included in the winter schedule.
Impact of Regional Conflicts
Despite its focus on the Middle East, Eurowings has temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut due to ongoing conflicts in the region. However, Mr. Bischof noted that the financial impact has been minimal, with the airline redeploying affected aircraft to destinations such as Erbil, Hurghada, Morocco, and the Canary Islands.
“This region is incredibly attractive, offering countless opportunities for growth,” Mr. Bischof said. As Eurowings continues to expand its reach, travelers can look forward to more destinations and affordable options in the Middle East.
