New airline to launch nonstop route to Europe in December

TAMPA — With COVID-19 travel restrictions lifted, Lufthansa Group’s new subsidiary, Eurowings Discover, plans to launch a new nonstop route from Tampa International Airport to Frankfurt, Germany, in December.

According to a news release, the service will operate four times per week, starting Dec. 16. Also, it marks the U.S. debut of Eurowings Discover, an airline focused on the leisure travel market; however, the Airbus A330 aircraft used on the route will offer some lie-flat seating for business travelers.

"We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Eurowings to Tampa Bay and to restore service to Europe and beyond," Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano states in the release. "This is a critical connection for both European travelers coming to Florida and Floridians looking to travel the world. Frankfurt is one of Europe’s largest hubs and truly opens up the rest of the world. And Florida, as we know, is the vacation destination of choice for so many across the pond."

Lufthansa Group, according to the release, says its passenger airlines have seen a boom in demand for U.S. travel since the removal of restrictions for vaccinated Europeans.

"We are excited that Lufthansa Group and Eurowings Discover has chosen TPA as its first U.S. route," states Alex Heiter, TIA’s director of air service development, in the release. "This decision reaffirms the Tampa Bay area’s attractiveness for international visitors and provides a fresh brand geared towards the needs of many of those customers. In addition, Eurowings Discover will continue to provide a strong business class and premium economy offering, with seamless connectivity into the existing Lufthansa network at the Frankfurt hub."