After a long history of direct connections between Paderborn and the Munich hub, this era will end on May 31st. Lufthansa justifies the discontinuation of the route with insufficient capacity utilization and high operating costs. But the East Westphalia-Lippe region is determined not to lose its connection to international air traffic. With the founding of the Skyhub PAD initiative, a solution was found within a few months that will seamlessly continue the existing flights.
Lufthansa's decision to discontinue the service between Paderborn and Munich caused disappointment in the region. The connection was an important way for business travelers from East Westphalia-Lippe in particular to reach the intercontinental hub in Munich. Despite the importance of the route for the region, capacity utilization did not meet expectations, according to a Lufthansa spokeswoman. At the same time, the increased operating costs for personnel, fuel and airport fees were no longer economically viable.
This development is part of Lufthansa's strategy to cut unprofitable regional flights and focus on larger markets and more lucrative connections. In addition to Paderborn, other smaller airports in Germany were also affected by similar cuts, such as Erfurt and Friedrichshafen.
Skyhub PAD: Regional initiative takes responsibility
In order to prevent the impending loss of the connection to Munich, the private initiative Skyhub PAD was launched in November 2024. It is backed by several companies from the region who recognize not only the economic but also the infrastructural value of the flight connection. The aim of Skyhub PAD is to seamlessly connect to the current flight schedule from June 2025 and to continue the connection via an alternative provider.
A partner has been found to operate the route in the form of the Danish wet-lease specialist DAT (Danish Air Transport). According to the initiative, the aircraft used will have a capacity of around 70 to 100 seats. DAT already has experience in regional feeder traffic and is known for flexible and efficient solutions in niche markets.
Paderborn Airport, which has itself had to contend with financial challenges in recent years, has signalled its full support for the project. Airport director Roland Hüser emphasised that the connection to Munich is of key importance for the airport's attractiveness and the region's competitiveness.
importance for the region
The connection to an international hub such as Munich is of great importance for an economically strong region such as East Westphalia-Lippe. In addition to the local economy, which is strongly influenced by companies such as Bertelsmann, Miele and Claas, medium-sized companies and service providers also benefit from fast travel options.
The discontinuation of Lufthansa flights would not only have meant longer travel times for business travelers, but also potential disadvantages for the business location. The Skyhub PAD initiative is an attempt to close this gap and at the same time establish a long-term solution for the connection to Munich.
An opportunity for alternative models
The continuation of flights through Skyhub PAD could provide a model for other regions facing similar challenges. While large airlines such as Lufthansa focus on larger airports, this opens up space for smaller operators that focus on regional niches.
With the founding of Skyhub PAD, the East Westphalia-Lippe region is taking an important step towards assuming independent responsibility for its mobility connections. If the project is successful, it could serve as a blueprint for further initiatives in Germany and Europe.
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