Lufthansa resumes direct Kuala Lumpur–Frankfurt flights after nearly a decade

A Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on October 26, 2026, marking the launch of the airline’s new nonstop service between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt. — Bernama pic

First Published: Tuesday, 27 Oct 2026 1:29 PM MYT

SEPANG, Oct 27 — Lufthansa Airlines has launched its nonstop service between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt, Germany, restoring a direct air link between the two cities after nearly a decade.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the service would strengthen Malaysia’s air connectivity with Germany and the wider European market, while creating greater opportunities for tourism, business and people-to-people exchange.

“This new connection comes at an opportune time as Malaysia advances the Visit Malaysia 2026–2027 campaign. 

“Strong and reliable air connectivity is fundamental to our efforts to attract more international visitors and ensure that Malaysia remains accessible and competitive in the global tourism market,” he said at the “Welcoming Reception of the Inaugural Flight of Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Kuala Lumpur” event at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday.

Tiong’s speech was read by Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man.

Also present at the event were Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani and Lufthansa Group’s Global Sales senior vice-president, Frank Naeve.

Tiong said Lufthansa’s new service, operating five times a week year-round, will offer greater convenience and choice to travellers, while further strengthening KLIA as an important gateway connecting South-east Asia with Europe.

He said Malaysia welcomed 42.2 million visitors last year, an 11.16 per cent increase from 2025, and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry aims to build on this positive momentum by strengthening the country’s presence in the European market, encouraging longer stays, and creating more opportunities for the tourism industry.

He said the European market remains an important contributor to Malaysia’s tourism sector, with 1.18 million visitors from the continent recorded in the first eight months of this year, a 1.2 per cent increase from 1.16 million during the same period last year.

“Malaysia is currently connected to the European market by 57 flights per week, with a total capacity of 16,914 seats per week. This strong connectivity provides a solid foundation to further grow the European market and attract more visitors to Malaysia.

“With more than 700 German companies operating in Malaysia, this direct connection will also facilitate stronger business links and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” he said, adding that 116,824 German visitors were recorded from January to August this year.

Meanwhile, Mohd Izani said Lufthansa’s return to KLIA would improve Malaysia’s accessibility from cities beyond its direct network.

“For businesses, this supports closer links with customers and investors. For our tourism industry, it creates a wider European catchment from which to attract visitors. 

“These are the connections we are working to build: commercially sustainable services that strengthen KLIA’s competitiveness and deliver lasting value to Malaysia’s economy,” he said in a statement.

In a separate statement, Naeve said customers travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Frankfurt would experience Lufthansa’s latest long-haul product aboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, one of the most modern and efficient aircraft in Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet.

“Malaysia is an important economic centre in Southeast Asia and a growing destination for international business and investment, while its rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions make it equally appealing to leisure travellers. 

“Our new nonstop service connects these two worlds, making travel between Malaysia and Europe more convenient and providing our customers with an enhanced long-haul travel experience,” he said. — Bernama