Lufthansa to add more flights from Duesseldorf to keep up with competition

FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Deutsche Lufthansa AG plans to add more flights from Duesseldorf, Germany, in coming years to compete with rivals who have expanded their intercontinental service from the western German airport, Handelsblatt reported, citing Christoph Klingenberg, head of the decentralized routes division.

'If current high demand continues we will offer more flights from Duesseldorf in coming years,' Klingenberg told the newspaper.

'And if it makes economic sense and the slots are available, we will fly to Asia, too.'

Lufthansa already offers non-stop service to New York, Chicago and Toronto from Duesseldorf. The German flagship carrier's other main hubs in Germany are Frankfurt and Munich.

Among rivals flying to Asia and the US from Duesseldorf are Air Berlin Plc, Emirates, Delta Air Lines Inc and Northwest Airlines Corp, Handelsblatt said. [e-mail] mas/lam COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.