From a small air taxi company to an international airline

2022

In 2022, the company celebrates its 30th "name day" and with it the change of name to Lufthansa CityLine. The fleet receives reinforcement: Six Airbus A319s are successively added. At the same time, the last two Embraer 195s and the first two Embraer 190s leave the company. The airline opens up a completely new business segment in March with the first A321P2F cargo flight for Lufthansa Cargo. Somewhat later, a second freighter joins the fleet, also connecting key destinations in Europe and neighboring countries to the global cargo network. Meanwhile, the CLeanUP program for the future, which optimizes processes and generates new potential, is moving from planning to implementation. In 2022, the company defines its long-standing values of people-centeredness, cohesion, adaptability and pragmatism. These are summarized in the purpose "Mit uns fliegt's" ("It flies with us"), which, in addition to the allusion to aviation, emphasizes above all the proven ability of the company and its employees to solve complex tasks or simply make things possible.

2021

The Covid-19 pandemic remains the at the center of attention in 2021. Lufthansa CityLine with its smaller aircraft types is well-placed to adapt to the constantly changing demand situation and thus operates a substantial part of the Lufthansa schedule. As passenger numbers show no sign of a recovery towards pre-pandemic levels, strict measures to safeguard health as well as the financial situation remain in place, including short-term work, mask wearing and home office regulations. The CLeanUP restructuring programme examines numerous corporate processes and structures for optimization opportunities and cost efficiency. The Lufthansa Group executive board decides to add seven more Airbus A319 jets to Lufthansa CityLine’s fleet. In July, the airline is selected to operate an Airbus A321 freighter fleet on behalf of Lufthansa Cargo from 2022. On the other hand, the first four of seven planned CRJ900 aircraft leave the fleet. Inflight catering sees a major change as the standard light snacks are replaced by the chargeable, high-quality food and beverage scheme, „Onboard Delights“. Thanks to comprehensive testing beforehand, the implementation goes smoothly and passenger feedback is more than positive.

2020

After a promising start into the year, Lufthansa CityLine as well as the Lufthansa Group and the entire travel industry are heavily affected by the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The airline is forced to trim down its traffic, however it plays an important role in maintaining a basic Lufthansa schedule with its smaller aircraft that are better suited to lower demand. Short term work is introduced in all parts of the company. Mask-wearing, crisis labour agreements and home-office regulations become central measures, and a corporate restructuring programme is being introduced.

The grounding of large parts of the Lufthansa long-haul fleet also ends the long-haul operation of Lufthansa CityLine. The last three Airbus A340 aircraft are returned to Lufthansa. Furthermore, the Cologne maintenance station is closed for economic reasons in December after 35 years and 850 C-checks for its own jets and many other airlines from all over the world.

2019

2019 is all about the introduction of the Airbus A319 into the Lufthansa CityLine fleet. Following D-AILB's maiden flight on March 31 from Munich to Copenhagen, three more planes are taken over in the course of the year. 2019 also marks the 60th anniversary of Lufthansa CityLine. The company honors the long successful development from the OLT air taxi service via DLT Regional Airlines to the modern hub carrier. In addition, Lufthansa CityLine is certified for the twentieth time according to the strict EMAS environmental standard. Meanwhile, the Cologne heavy maintenance facility closes for economic reasons after its 850th C-Check. Easy boarding in Munich: From September, passengers on selected flights can comfortably board the plane by foot and thus save time – without a lengthy bus journey.

2018

Lufthansa presents its new brand identity in February 2018. A Bombardier CRJ900 based in Frankfurt is deployed as the first Lufthansa CityLine aircraft featuring the new paintwork. This year, Lufthansa CityLine again meets the strict environmental requirements of EMAS and ISO14001 and is successfully recertified. In August, Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr christens a CRJ900 “Landsberg am Lech” for the city of the same name. In addition, Lufthansa CityLine’s new website goes online. It offers a fresh layout, advanced user-friendliness and the latest technology. The Lufthansa Executive Board paves the way for the deployment of Airbus A319 jets at Lufthansa CityLine, thus marking the entry into a larger aircraft family for the subsidiary airline from 2019. On November 1, the company celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of its predecessor, OLT, and launches various anniversary campaigns for its employees over the following months.

2017

Lufthansa CityLine and manufacturer Bombardier celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first delivery of the Candair Regional Jet (CRJ) in October. A CRJ aircraft sporting a special livery flies across Europe for several months. Lufthansa CityLine is again certified according to IOSA and EMAS in the area of environmental management. After an intensive evaluation of the efficiency measures to date and an examination of all future options, the Executive Board decides to close the Cologne facility for economic reasons by the end of 2020. No redundancies are necessary for operational reasons. In Frankfurt, Lufthansa CityLine's maintenance operations will move into Lufthansa Technik's A380 hangar at the end of the year, without affecting jobs. The reasons are the space requirements for the new Terminal 3 and economic aspects.

2016

Following the consolidation of recent years, the size of the fleet rose slightly to 57 aircraft, including six Airbus A340-300s. The wide-body jets will be used on routes to North and Central America as well as Africa. In maintenance, 2016 was a trial phase for the new AMOS IT system, which makes overhaul processes much more efficient. In addition to their own fleet, the technical experts once again managed numerous aircraft operated by other airlines.

2015

Premiere at Lufthansa CityLine: The takeover of the first three Airbus A340-300s and the first long-haul flight to Tampa/Florida on September 25 are milestones in the company's history. The airline has also acquired seven additional CRJ900s this year, followed by further aircraft of this type. In contrast, Lufthansa CityLine has successfully completed the phasing-out of its CRJ700 fleet and handed over the first of 17 Embraer 195 aircraft.

2014

In September 2014, the corporate administration moved from Cologne to Munich. Despite this major change Lufthansa CityLine achieved new records in technical regularity and punctuality in 2014 and achieved a further improvement over the previous year, despite the effects of strikes in the Lufthansa Group. In engineering, preparations are underway for the transfer of materials to Lufthansa Technik. At the same time, the new AMOS IT system for MRO is being introduced. The Lufthansa CityLine fleet is also changing. The phasing out of the former 20 CRJ700s is proceeding according to plan. Four aircraft of this type are still in service by the end of 2014. Meanwhile, Lufthansa decides to transfer up to 16 CRJ900s from Eurowings to Lufthansa CityLine. This will increase the fleet of this model to up to 28 aircraft by 2017. Another step forward is the decision to have Lufthansa CityLine operate up to eight Airbus A340 on long-haul leisure routes in the future.

2013

In July 2013, the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG paves the way for the relocation of the head office of Lufthansa CityLine from Cologne to Munich. The goal is to increase and facilitate the coordination between the administration, currently in Cologne, and the operational departments that are already based in Munich. In fall 2013, Lufthansa CityLine starts to phase out its 20 CRJ 700, the smallest aircraft type in its fleet. Before the end of 2013, Lufthansa CityLine receives five additional Embraer 195.

2012

The company again receives special recognition from the European eco-audit regulation EMAS for its successful environmental management system and is also recertified according to the international environmental standard ISO 14001. Lufthansa CityLine has held this top position since 1999. The last AVRO regional jet, the D-AVRR, is scheduled to take up its last scheduled service from Cologne to Munich in August. At the same time, the 28th and last Embraer will be integrated into flight operations. Since autumn 2012, Lufthansa CityLine has also been a single-fleet hub carrier and now has 60 short- and medium-haul jets in its fleet. The entire fleet is equipped with the new European cabin in 2012. Its new seats provide not only more space, offer more comfort and more freedom of movement, but they are also significantly lighter than the previous seats.

2011

Lufthansa CityLine's concentration on the Frankfurt and Munich hubs moves ahead in 2011 and from fall 2012 the airline will operate exclusively from those cities. When the carrier takes delivery of its 20th Embraer in December, its fleet comprises 57 aircraft in service at year end.

2010

The year is marked by the comprehensive fleet rollover and the associated realignment of the company. In the course of the year, Lufthansa CityLine puts 11 state-of-the-art and factory-new Embraer 190 and Embraer 195 aircraft into service. In a parallel move, the departure from the 50-seat segment is implemented with the decommissioning of the Bombardier CRJ200 jets. From the beginning of the year, training for the airline's flying personnel takes place at the Lufthansa CityLine Training Center in Schwaig near Munich.

2009

Lufthansa CityLine celebrates the 50th anniversary of the airline's first flight. The company is Germany's first approved maintenance facility for the Embraer jets E190/195 and E170/175. In March, the CityLine administration office moves from the security area of Cologne/Bonn Airport to the former airport administration building. For the summer flight schedule, individual aircraft number plates are assigned to the Lufthansa divisions Munich, Frankfurt and Direct Services. Ten years after introducing its environmental management system, Lufthansa CityLine has once again received the certification in accordance with the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and the international standard DIN EN ISO 14001 for the fourth time in succession. n August, CityLine Technik starts to install the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) on the Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 fleets. Lufthansa CityLine receives the first Embraer 195 aircraft at a ceremony in Brazil.

2008

In November, management approves a program for the company's realignment, aimed at strengthening Lufthansa CityLine as a feeder at Lufthansa hubs. Wage negotiations for cockpit crews conclude in December 2008 with the approval of a collective agreement. In the same month, the Lufthansa Executive Board decides that Lufthansa CityLine will operate up to 20 Embraer jets. These aircraft are delivered between 2009 and 2011. In a countermove, Lufthansa CityLine withdraws 35 smaller and older aircraft from service over the ensuing months.

2007

For one of the best aircraft launches in Lufthansa history: the commissioning of twelve CRJ900s. For which the responsible CityLine team receives the Lufthansa Passage Quality Award. Production starts in December in the newly rented maintenance hangar of Lufthansa CityLine Technik at Munich Airport.

2006

In 2006, Lufthansa CityLine again builds on quality and performance. The Hamburg program achieves particularly good results with permanently stationed aircraft. The re-flotation – the introduction of twelve Bombardier CRJ900s and simultaneous phasing out of 13 CRJ200s - is proceeding smoothly.

2005

In August, readers of German business magazine "Capital" again elect Lufthansa CityLine the most popular European regional airline. In December, the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG approves the acquisition of 12 Bombardier CRJ900s, which are to join the fleet in the course of 2006.

2004

In March, Lufthansa CityLine is named a winner of the German Environmental Reporting Award 2003/2004. Lufthansa CityLine delivers its last Fokker 50 to Air Iceland at a ceremony held at Contact Air's Saarbrücken hangar at the beginning of August. Thus, all of the airline's turboprop aircraft, which had been operated exclusively by Contact Air since 1996, are sold.

2003

The establishment of the Lufthansa Regional network creates the conditions for an optimized cooperation between independent partner airlines under a common umbrella brand, including Lufthansa CityLine. In April, Lufthansa CityLine is successfully recertified according to both the European Environmental Audit Scheme EMAS and the international environmental standard ISO 14001. In Berlin on November 27, Managing Director Karl-Heinz Köpfle receives the Ludwig Erhard Prize, the quality award of German industry: Lufthansa CityLine wins the silver medal in the Large Companies category.

2002

On April 15, the first of Lufthansa CityLine's about 1,500 flying personnel receive their new uniforms. SAP takes flight at CityLine: In July the project team starts system configuration for the areas of maintenance, materials management and business administration. Lufthansa CityLine's move into the freshly renovated office building at Cologne/Bonn Airport gives new offices to 140 employees. The company also receives the "Recognition for Excellence" from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).

2001

The renowned aviation magazine Air Transport World (ATW) names Lufthansa CityLine the "Regional Airline of the Year 2001". At the international Aerospace Industry Awards 2001 ceremony on June 18, Lufthansa CityLine receives the second prize in the category "Enviroment and Infrastructure". This is the first time the award is presented to Lufthansa CityLine in this category, which is conferred by the prestigious Flight International magazine and considered one of the highest accolades in the industry. The era of the 70-seater aircraft begins at Lufthansa CityLine on July 1. On this day, the first CRJ700 is taken over into scheduled service. Shortly before the end of the year, the six millionth passenger is welcomed - a new record!

2000

Lufthansa CityLine becomes the first airline to be certified compliant with EMAS, the European Union's ecology audit regulations and also receives ISO 14001 certification in accordance with international norms. Under the motto "Make a difference!", the regional carrier introduces Business and Economy Classes on its flights. Two round numbers dominate events in November: On November 4, Bombardier Aerospace delivers the 40th CRJ to Lufthansa CityLine, and on November 9 the year's five-millionth Lufthansa CityLine passenger is welcomed in Munich, arriving on flight LH 5897 from Brussels.

1999

Lufthansa CityLine is voted "Airline of the Year 1999" by Regional Airline World magazine. The Lufthansa Supervisory Board endorses plans to purchase 60 Fairchild Dornier 728Jets (70 seats) and options on a further 60 aircraft. As the manufacturer later declares bankruptcy, the aircraft are never actually delivered. Lufthansa CityLine management institutes an Environmental Management System at the airline. Lufthansa CityLine places an order with Canadair Simulator und Training GmbH (CST) for the procurement of a flight simulator for the new CRJ700 aircraft type. Commissioning is scheduled for March 2001.

1998

Lufthansa CityLine puts the world's first cabin mock-up for the Avro RJ85 into operation. This increases the airline's capacity for emergency and safety training as well as for service training courses. In August 1998 the Avro RJ85 fleet is fitted with a new Flight Management System. Based on two independent satellite systems, it permits even more precise navigation. On 28 October 1998 Lufthansa CityLine celebrates its 40th anniversary, the acceptance of its 50th jet aircraft and the move to its new administrative headquarter at Cologne/Bonn Airport.

1997

In March 1997 Lufthansa CityLine transfers its last Fokker 50 to its Team Lufthansa partner Contact Air. This makes Lufthansa CityLine the first regional airline in Europe to operate an all-jet fleet. With its fleet of 31 CRJ and 18 Avro RJ85s Lufthansa CityLine operates air routes in Europe and Germany not previously served by Lufthansa, thereby connecting Europe's regions to Lufthansa's global network.

1996

For the first time in the history of Lufthansa CityLine passenger numbers surpass the three-million mark.

1995

The switch from turboprops to jet aircraft is taken one stage further in 1995. While Lufthansa CityLine's Fokker 50 fleet is significantly reduced, the two jet (CRJ and Avro RJ85) fleets are built up steadily. On 19 May 1995, for the first time in its history, Lufthansa CityLine carries over 10,000 scheduled passengers on one single day. In December, the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG approves the step-by-step transfer of Lufthansa CityLine's entire Fokker 50 fleet to the Stuttgart-based airline, Contact Air.

1994

The decision is made to restructure the fleet by increasing the number of jet aircraft, reducing the number of turboprops and introducing a new aircraft type. In October 1994 three Avro RJ85s enter the fleet. Two more CRJ are taken into service, bringing the number of this aircraft type up to 15 in the fleet. With the introduction of the Avro RJ85 Lufthansa CityLine revamps its in-flight service and introduces the new City Class – in line with Lufthansa's Business Class – on all aircraft types in the Lufthansa CityLine fleet.

1993

Lufthansa CityLine becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. At the end of the year all 13 CRJ on order are delivered to Lufthansa CityLine. In the summer timetable Lufthansa CityLine offers over 260 flights a day to 60 destinations in 20 European countries.

1992

In March DLT is renamed Lufthansa CityLine and later adopts the famous crane logo. Further expansion of the route network: the airline now operates over 200 flights a day to some 50 business centres in 15 European countries. Lufthansa CityLine becomes the first commercial airline to deploy the CRJ.

1991

The Supervisory Board approves the proposal to rename DLT Deutsche Luftverkehrsgesellschaft. The new name is Lufthansa CityLine GmbH. With the opening of its own base in Cologne Lufthansa CityLine is able to service and maintain its CRJ independently.

1990

A new cooperation agreement between DLT and Lufthansa comes into effect. DLT becomes an independent Group company: it is accountable for its own business results and is responsible for its own planning. DLT is the first airline worldwide to order the 50-seater Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ), and for the first time in its history carries over one million passengers a year.

1989

Deutsche Lufthansa AG takes out a majority stake in DLT. Its capital is increased to DM 50 million.

1988

DLT operates scheduled flights exclusively on behalf of Lufthansa and with LH flight numbers.

1987

DLT is the first airline in Europe to deploy the Fokker 50. Founding of DLT A.E.R.O. Services, Alzey, a subsidiary for the maintenance of aircraft engines.

1986

The first Embraer 120 (28 seats) joins the fleet.

1985

DLT's capital is increased to DM 40 million. AGIV has a 60 percent stake, Lufthansa holds 40 percent.

1984

DLT flies most of its route network under LH flight numbers on behalf of Lufthansa. The last of six Shorts 330 aircraft is decommissioned.

1981

The first of six 44-seater HS 748 aircraft goes into service.

1980

DLT's capital is increased to DM 16 million.

1979

Expansion of Germany's domestic route network in close cooperation with Lufthansa.

1978

On behalf of Lufthansa, DLT begins operating the first international routes: Bremen-Copenhagen and Hanover-Amsterdam. Lufthansa signs an agreement with AGIV to take out a 26 per cent stake in DLT. DLT equity: 6 million deutschmarks.

1977

The first 30-seater Shorts 330 goes into service.

1974

The company is renamed DLT Luftverkehrsgesellschaft mbH.

1973

The AGIV assumes sole ownership of OLT. The first larger aircraft: a twin otter with 20 seats.

1970

The company is renamed Ostfriesische Lufttaxi GmbH. It is owned jointly by the Aktiengesellschaft für Industrie- und Verkehrswesen AGIV, Frankfurt am Main, and the Fisser & van Doornum shipping company.

1959

On June 17, 1959 the first OLT flight takes off from Emden airfield.

1958

Jan Janssen and Martin Dekker found the seaside resort air service "Ostfriesische Lufttaxi" OLT, in the North Sea town of Emden. The first plane is a Dornier DO27.