With the announcement that it will discontinue its last connection between Paderborn/Lippstadt and the Munich hub in the summer of 2025, Lufthansa is causing unrest in the East Westphalian economic landscape.

The decision is seen as a symptom of a strategic realignment of the airline, in which unprofitable routes are consistently being eliminated. However, this marks a bitter setback for Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport and the regional economy, which at the same time creates space for innovation.

Economic constraints are forcing Lufthansa to withdraw

Lufthansa justified the decision with a significant decline in demand among business travelers since the pandemic. The Paderborn region in particular is struggling with changing working habits characterized by remote work and virtual conferences. At the same time, government regulations, such as the repeated increases in air traffic taxes, are making profitability on this route more difficult. “The connection is no longer economically viable,” said a spokeswoman for the company.

In the current winter flight schedule, the route is operated twice a day. However, the announcement of the withdrawal indicated that Lufthansa is withdrawing from medium-sized flights such as Paderborn/Lippstadt in the long term. This also affects other regional connections, such as the routes to Stuttgart, which are now being taken over by new providers.

Entrepreneurship should save connection

But the story didn’t end with Lufthansa’s withdrawal. Regional entrepreneurs and private individuals want to fill the gap and found a new business airline. This will be in June 2025, the connection will be published in Munich. Airport managing director Roland Hüser praises the commitment and draws historical parallels: The legendary computer pioneer Heinz Nixdorf initiated the route over 40 years ago. “It’s great that entrepreneurs and private individuals want to found a new airline company,” said Hüser optimistically.

According to the airport, there could be cooperation with Lufthansa to ensure the continuity of the connection. Lufthansa itself is currently examining the framework conditions for a possible partnership together with regional players.

New business airlines on the rise

The developments in Paderborn/Lippstadt are part of a broader trend in which regional players are stepping into the breach left by Lufthansa. The “FlyDBA” brand was recently revived to connect Stuttgart with Münster/Osnabrück. The initiator Martin Michael and Franconia Air Service are relying on a business model that is aimed at flexibility and regional proximity. The new airline in Paderborn could also have a similar orientation.

Such initiatives show that, despite the challenges, smaller airports can benefit from the willingness of regional companies to develop innovative solutions.

Lufthansa is pursuing a stringent austerity policy

The decision to abandon unprofitable routes is part of a comprehensive turnaround program by Lufthansa. The aim is to increase efficiency and profitability, reduce complexities and strengthen the brand in the long term. “Achieving a balanced full-year result is becoming increasingly challenging for us,” says Lufthansa. In particular, the delivery problems faced by aircraft manufacturers and the associated lack of capacity affect the airline’s route network.

The consequence: In the future, the focus will be on routes that promise high utilization all year round and fit into the overall strategic concept.

Future of Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport

The coming period remains challenging for Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport. However, with the planned new airline, the location could become a model for other regional airports. The decisive factor will be whether the commitment of the economy and the flexibility of the operators are sufficient to keep the location attractive in the long term. The planned new connection to Munich could be an important first step in preventing a downward spiral and preserving the airport’s importance as a regional hub.

Paderborn/Lippstadt is an example of the challenges faced by smaller airports in Germany. The next few years will show whether they are able to reposition themselves through regional initiatives and innovative concepts.