ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – Marking 40 years of direct flights between Korea and Germany, the Lufthansa Group is strengthening its commitment to Korea with technology-driven travel solutions and a focus on sustainability.
Earlier this year, the group introduced direct flights from Seoul to Zurich with SWISS and continues to explore options to expand capacity in the Korean market.
In a recent interview with The Korea Herald, Lufthansa Group’s General Manager for Korea Leandro Tonidandel shared insights into how Korea’s vibrant market and cultural influence continue to drive Lufthansa’s commitment.
“Korea has become one of the most dynamic markets, not just in Asia but globally,” he said. “There’s far more to Korea than just K-pop and K-dramas, and Lufthansa is working to highlight these untapped aspects for European travellers.” Tonidandel took on his current role in 2021, bringing over 25 years of marketing and sales experience within the Lufthansa Group.
Now, he oversees sales activities for Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines in Korea, while also serving as chair of the tourism committee of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea.
“Today, bilateral interest between Korea and Europe is growing, driven by both economic ties and cultural exchanges,” Tonidandel explained. “European companies increasingly view Korea as a strategic location for tech and bio-sciences. Our travel data shows that Korea is attracting global investment, highlighting its growing role in global supply chains.”
The group’s flagship carrier has seen a shift from primarily inbound business travel to a stronger outbound corporate travel market. Today, around 35 per cent of Lufthansa’s Korean route passengers are corporate travellers.
