With 199 passengers, the first flight began operations for Discover Airlines, Lufthansa's quality vacation airline, which landed for the first time on its direct Frankfurt (FRA) - Tulum (TQO) route, a flight that will be maintained from December 12 of this year until April 27, 2025, with two weekly flights operated on Thursdays and Sundays.
Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa and German Ambassador Clemens von Goetze led the airline’s welcome ceremony. Its arrival also marks the first intercontinental operation of an airline and the first landing of a wide-body aircraft at the new “Felipe Carrillo Puerto” international airport in Tulum.
Mara Lezama highlighted that the addition of this new destination to its itinerary from Frankfurt, one of the most important airports in the world, reinforces the commitment of the Lufthansa Group to the market and highlights the popularity of Mexico among European travelers, particularly from Germany, a country that is in our top 10 of issuing markets.
“It also adds to the confidence generated by our tourist destinations and the governments of the Fourth Transformation of Quintana Roo and Mexico, by national and international business groups and investors, who anticipate a promising future for the Mexican Caribbean, a tourist giant of the region,” said the Governor.
The governor of Quintana Roo welcomed the first German travelers who arrived on this flight. “We welcomed them with open arms, traditional Mexican hospitality and the warmth of the people of Quintana Roo. May the arrival of this flight strengthen the ties between the German people and the Mexican people,” she said.
For his part, Ambassador Clemens Von Goetze said that it was an honor to participate in the reception, at the Tulum airport, of the first Lufthansa flight, and to witness the strengthening of commercial and cultural ties.
“The Caribbean is known for its rich cultural heritage and above all for the hospitality of its people. Tulum has become one of the favorite destinations for its paradisiacal beaches. The inauguration of this flight represents more than an air connection, it is a bridge between Mexico and Germany” said the Ambassador.
Mexico has been one of the Group's most important markets in Latin America for almost six decades. In addition to Lufthansa's existing services connecting Mexico City with Frankfurt and Munich, Discover Airlines has been operating year-round flights from Frankfurt to Cancun for more than three years. In 2023, more than 268,500 passengers arrived in Mexico, of which 55.7% chose the Mexican Caribbean as their travel destination.
“Today is a very special day for Discover Airlines. It’s not every day that an airline has the privilege of being the first to bring an intercontinental flight to a new airport. For me personally, it’s an exciting moment to see us connecting Frankfurt with Tulum, one of Mexico’s most sought-after destinations. Mexico has long been a favourite destination for European travellers and with this new route, we’re making it easier than ever to explore its incredible culture, stunning landscapes and warm hospitality. This new addition to our network is not only an important milestone for Discover Airlines, but also for the entire Lufthansa Group,” said Bernd Bauer, CEO of Discover Airlines.
The flight departed from Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt, on December 12, 2024, with an Airbus A330-300. With an almost fully-filled aircraft, flight 4Y12 arrived at Tulum International Airport “Felipe Carrillo Puerto” (TQO) on the same day.
He was welcomed with a special event headed by Governor Mara Lezama; the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Clemens von Goetze; the CEO of Discover Airlines, Bernd Bauer; the State Secretary of Tourism, Bernardo Cueto Riestra; the operations manager of the “Felipe Carrillo Puerto” airport, Marcos Martínez; the director of Lufthansa Group in Mexico and Central America, Alejandro Arias; and the director of the Tourism Promotion Council, Andrés Martínez.
Source: Government of Quintana Roo.