Pittsburgh International Celebrates Launch of New Service on Condor to Frankfurt

Pittsburgh International Airport has welcomed its second new international airline and commenced nonstop service to a second international market within the past week.
 
The inaugural flight on Condor Airlines from Frankfurt, Germany, carrying airport and community officials, arrived Friday evening to a water arch salute, news conference and celebrations for passengers at Gate C59 and in Baggage Claim.
 
“We’re thrilled that Condor Airlines has begun serving Pittsburgh and this region from Frankfurt, Germany, particularly because we have so many companies here with international operations which will use this destination,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “Providing this direct flight not only helps those businesses continue to flourish and grow in our region, but could also help attract additional businesses and tourists from Europe because of the connection. We thank Condor for choosing Pittsburgh International Airport and look forward to working with them to serve our business community for years to come.”
 
The aircraft that will fly the route is the first wide-body aircraft to serve Pittsburgh International Airport in more than a decade, and the first time Pittsburgh and Germany have been connected with nonstop service since 2004. The plane will also have room for palletized cargo in the belly, creating additional cargo, high-value manufacturing, and logistics opportunities for the region.
 
“Nonstop service to Germany has been a top goal for the airport for several years and has been something the business community in Pittsburgh has been seeking for more than a decade,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “This flight will strengthen Pittsburgh International Airport’s business and leisure travel connections.”
 
In addition to companies including Covestro, Bosch, Bayer, Siemens, Aldi and others, Pittsburgh has a number of residents who trace their ancestry to Germany, indicating a healthy leisure summer travel market for the flight.
 
Paul Overby, Board Chairman of the German American Chamber of Commerce, Pittsburgh Chapter, called the new service a godsend for Pittsburgh. “As a result of the flight, we anticipate more investment here by German businesses and even greater profile for our region among European travelers,” he said. “This is a fantastic first step, and we are hopeful that the Condor service will expand in coming years.”
 
Jens Boyd, Director of Long Haul and Revenue Management, said Condor is pleased to add Pittsburgh to its growing list of U.S. destinations, now totaling 11 cities.
 
“We are pleased to bring Condor’s award-winning, three-class service at attractive prices to Pittsburgh and the Tri State region and giving the local people a unique choice for their travels to Germany and beyond,” he said. “With our numerous partner airlines, we offer flights beyond Frankfurt to over 120 destinations across Europe.”
 
Seasonal nonstop service to Frankfurt on Condor will operate twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays) until September. Condor is the fourth international airline to offer scheduled service to Pittsburgh International Airport and is the third international carrier to add service within the past two years.