For the first time since 1996 nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany is available from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Condor Airlines began service from Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) to MSP on Thursday, June 26. Seasonal Condor flights will depart on Mondays and Thursdays with a Boeing 767-300 until September 11.
Ralf Tecktentrup, Condor Airlines CEO, said, “With the new nonstop connection from Minneapolis to Frankfurt, Condor offers the easiest, fastest and most comfortable opportunity to visit Central Europe.”
Frankfurt is located in the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region of central Germany, the second largest metropolitan area in the country. The largest financial center in continental Europe, Frankfurt is also located near the geographic center of the European Union, making it a convenient starting point for travel throughout Europe.
“This new, non-stop service to Frankfurt makes it easier than ever for Minnesotans to explore all Germany has to offer,” said Jeff Hamiel, executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “Condor’s entrance into the Twin Cities market also provides another option for travelers wishing to connect to other European cities.”
Condor officials feel MSP is a strong market due to Minnesota’s large population with Germanic history. Officials also cited the Mall of America as an amenity they felt would attract Germans, so they felt there was a strong market in both directions to make the flight viable.
Condor is a lower-cost, leisure airline with a price point attractive not only to Frankfurt but also for people who wanted to fly to other areas of Europe. Travelers can book a one-way flight from Minneapolis to Frankfurt on Condor for as little as $529.99 in Economy Class, $969.99 in Premium Economy Class, and $1,369.99 in Business Class. Connecting flights to additional German and European destinations are available, and Condor Airlines also offers “Rail and Fly” so that, once you land, you can reach almost any city within Germany by rail for $38 per person and route.
Frankfurt is now the fifth European city with direct air service from MSP. Others are Amsterdam, Netherlands; London, England; Paris, France; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Sun Country Airlines has formed an interairline partnership with Condor so that travelers from Europe can take connecting flights to some U.S. cities that Sun Country serves.
For more photos of the inaugural flight celebration or video of the water cannon salute visit MSP’s Facebook page.
