Lufthansa strengthens its position in Qatar

"Qatar has developed as one of the fastest growing markets for premium travel in the GCC. Our growth numbers in First Class are especially impressive - the volume has nearly doubled within one year. This is a clear sign that our strategy to invest into brand new First and Business Class products as well as the world's only dedicated First Class Terminal is paying off," said Carsten Schaeffer, Lufthansa Vice President Sales & Service South East Europe, Middle East and Africa during a press conference in Doha.

"Meanwhile our ratings for the premium travel classes have developed more than positively - an innovative upgrade to our catering on board will be the next step," he added.

Just this month, Lufthansa received the 5-star laurels from Skytrax for its new First Class product. On board, the Skytrax rating system singled out the superb comfort of the First-Class cabin with ergonomically contoured seats, which convert into a fully flat, two-metre long bed.

Lufthansa's First-Class cabin staff was awarded for their onboard service quality, which had lent an added note to the 5-Star rating and which had shown marked improvement over the past twelve months. On top, the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt was praised for its exclusive personal assistant service and the unsurpassable food and spa selection.

"Since we added Doha to our global network in January 2006, we have continuously grown this service with additional flights and larger aircraft. Over this period of seven years, the capital of Qatar has become a strong pillar in our Middle Eastern network and Frankfurt a preferred hub for our customers," added Peter Pollak, Lufthansa's General Manager UAE and Director Gulf.

"The fourth runway in Frankfurt and the new A pier with easy connections and five premium lounges have increased our overall punctuality and will push Frankfurt fast forward on its way to become the most efficient and reliable hub in Europe," he concluded.

Leading partner in co-developing environmental sustainable fuel solutions
Lufthansa has set industry standards as well in other areas. The airline has successfully concluded the trial use of biofuel in regular flight operations for just under six months. In all, a total of 1,187 biofuel flights were operated between Hamburg and Frankfurt from 15 July to 27 December 2011. An Airbus A321 completed eight flights a day between Hamburg and Frankfurt.

One of the aircraft's two engines was operated with fuel containing up to 50% of biosynthetic kerosene - the maximum mix permitted - produced by the Finnish petroleum company Neste Oil. The other engine was run on conventional kerosene, so that a direct comparison was possible. The basis for the alternative fuel was formed by the 'energy plants' Camelina (80%) and Jatropha (15%) along with animal fats (5%).

This long-term practical trial is now being followed up with a two-year research phase to analyze the generated data and derive new insights. Lufthansa was the world's first airline which used biofuel on scheduled commercial flights. Lufthansa will now evaluate with various industry partners how biofuel can be used on larger scale in its commercial operations and which pre-requisites need to be fulfilled.