LUFTHANSA suffered a 35 per cent drop in passenger numbers using its Scottish service this year, as the global economic crisis resulted in a sharp decline in tourism and business traffic between Edinburgh and Frankfurt. And yesterday the German carrier said it was to cut flights between the two cities – both major financial centres hit by the economic downturn – from three-times daily to twice daily.

The reduction in passenger numbers in the first quarter of 2009 on the Scottish route is almost three times higher than Lufthansa’s UK average drop of 13.1 per cent for the same period. A total of 24,044 passengers travelled on the Edinburgh to Frankfurt route during the period. Marianna Sammann, Lufthansa’s general manager for UK and Ireland, told The Scotsman that the airline had been hit hard by the economic downturn.

But the weak pound and a growing demand for walking and golfing holidays in the UK has prompted the carrier to launch a once-a-week service between Frankfurt and Inverness for the summer months. Sammann said: "We are feeling the crisis, as every airline is. This is certainly the most difficult year in our history. Demand has gone down across the world and we have had to adjust our services accordingly.

"Last year, we saw a small decline of 5.7 per cent, but the crisis has really begun to hit in the first quarter of 2009." She added: "We have seen a strong decline in the business market as a direct result of the economic situation. "This is particularly obvious on our Edinburgh route as Edinburgh and Frankfurt are both major financial centres. Previously, there would have been quite a lot of travel between the two."

The Inverness service, which starts in June, will offer one flight in each direction – both on a Saturday. It is the ninth UK airport used by Lufthansa. Sammann said: "It means people will stay in Scotland and spend money for a week, which brings in business to the economy. "There is a strong link between German tourists and Scotland.

"Golf is gaining popularity in Germany and people are coming to Scotland to play. There is no doubt that the weak pound is making it easier for people to visit the UK from Europe. In these times as they are, it is good news." Bookings for the new route already stand at 52 per cent for June, more than 60 per cent for July and over 70 per cent for August. Sammann added: "There is still quite a lot of time to go so we are very pleased with the popularity of this new route."

source: business.scotsman.com