Show-Me State Times

Lufthansa has announced it will expand its flight service between St. Louis and Frankfurt, Germany, increasing the frequency to five flights per week. The airline's decision comes in response to strong demand for the route and is seen as a sign that St. Louis is becoming a more prominent global destination.

Dustin Allison, Interim CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc., welcomed the news. “We are very excited by Lufthansa’s announcement of expanded service to Germany,” said Allison. “The continued high demand for and overall success of this flight demonstrates that St. Louis is a global destination, and we anticipate that the success of this flight will support our ongoing efforts to attract additional international service in the near future.”

The nonstop route between St. Louis and continental Europe was first established in 2021 after local companies and organizations collaborated to secure funding for three-day-a-week service with Lufthansa. Among those involved were Centene, Emerson, Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Greater St. Louis, Inc., Hermann Companies, Hunter Engineering, Nestlé Purina PetCare, St. Louis County Port Authority, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and the William T. Kemper Foundation.

Allison noted the importance of collaboration among business and civic leaders in bringing international air service to the region: “When the business and civic communities came together to attract and secure this Lufthansa flight, our investors and other stakeholders did so with this expansion in mind,” he said.

Plans are also underway for a transformation of St. Louis Lambert International Airport aimed at further supporting efforts to add more international routes for the region’s travelers.

“The upcoming transformation of our airport will only serve to enhance our efforts to bring additional international service to St. Louis, a critical component of the work to grow the region,” Allison added.