Condor Airlines cuts 4 U.S. routes to Frankfurt in 2025

German leisure airline Condor is adjusting its U.S. route map for 2025.
This week, the airline notified four U.S. airports that it plans to cut seasonal nonstop flights from Frankfurt.
Next year, the airline will stop flying from its German base city to San Antonio International Airport (SAT), Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI), and Minneapolis-St. Louis Airport (BWI). St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
Condor has also cut two other North American routes to Edmonton and Halifax in Canada as part of its network restructuring.
Court ruling prompts change
In cutting its North American plans for 2025, Condor cited a recent ruling by Germany’s High Court that appears likely to reduce passenger numbers in the new year.
As part of Germany’s antitrust regulations, the country’s flag carrier Lufthansa is required to allow Vulture passengers flying to Frankfurt to seamlessly transfer to Lufthansa flights. The rule essentially allows U.S. passengers to enter almost all of Germany through Condor.
But Condor said in announcing the route cuts that a recent ruling by Germany’s Federal Court overturned those rules.
“This is not a decision we take lightly,” Condor commercial director Jens Boyd said in a statement on Monday. “We deeply regret the resulting loss of connectivity and service.”
San Antonio loses only European service
The cancellation of Condor Air service is a particular blow to San Antonio, which just this year launched nonstop service to Frankfurt, its first (and only) nonstop service to Europe.
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Now it looks like San Antonio passengers will once again have no option for nonstop transatlantic flights by 2025 unless another airline announces service.
As of now, SAT’s only international flights include about six short-haul flights to Mexico.
“We remain committed to expanding SAT’s nonstop service,” Airport Director Jesus Saenz, Jr. said in a statement. “Our community has long asked for service to Europe, and last summer’s data proves we do have a system that can Maintain a market with uninterrupted service.”
Read more: Condor premium economy A330neo review: Is it worth the extra cost?
Condor’s growth in the U.S. interrupted
Condor’s retreat from North American operations follows rapid growth in transatlantic business in recent years.
The total number of seats between the United States and Germany will increase by 50% in 2024 compared with 2023, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Condor’s colorfully striped aircraft are a no-brainer, and its flights are available not only to travelers willing to pay for a seat, but also to those using points and miles. For example, the airline has a frequent flyer partnership with Alaska Airlines that allows mileage program members to redeem Alaska miles on Condor flights.
Through summer 2025, travelers will still be able to fly to Frankfurt on Condor aircraft from nine U.S. cities (eight of which are in the continental United States) and Anchorage, Alaska.
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