SAN ANTONIO (December 23, 2024) — Condor Airlines has announced it will discontinue service to Frankfurt from several North American cities, including San Antonio, following a landmark ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice. This decision effectively overturns a measure previously enforced by the German Antitrust Authority that required Lufthansa to provide connecting flights for Condor passengers on a single ticket with through-checked baggage.

The ruling has forced Condor to reevaluate its 2025 schedules, resulting in the discontinuation of service from Frankfurt to San Antonio (SAT), Baltimore (BWI), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Phoenix (PHX) in the U.S., and Edmonton (YEG) and Halifax (YHZ) in Canada.

“This is not a decision we take lightly,” said Dr. Jens Boyd, Commercial Director for Condor. “Condor has cultivated strong professional and personal ties with San Antonio and other affected communities over the years, and we deeply regret the loss of connectivity and service this will cause. We remain committed to exploring all avenues for fair competition, though we recognize that further legal proceedings will take time to resolve.”

A Setback for San Antonio’s International Connectivity

The loss of Condor’s service marks a significant setback for San Antonio International Airport, which celebrated a historic year in 2024 with its first-ever nonstop route to Europe. Over the summer, transatlantic travel from SAT surged, with passenger numbers increasing by 30% and nearly 450 daily passengers flying in each direction. The success underscored the demand for international connectivity and positioned San Antonio as a viable market for transatlantic service.

“While we understand and respect Condor’s challenging business decision, we are deeply grateful for their investment in San Antonio and their efforts to connect SAT to the world,” said Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, CEO of greater:SATX. “Air service is a vital engine of economic and business development, and we are committed to continuing efforts alongside SAT and Visit San Antonio to build and enhance our international air service.”

A Path Forward for SAT

Local leaders and aviation officials remain optimistic about the future of transatlantic service in San Antonio, emphasizing the strong demand and community support for such connections.

“Together with our community partners, we will continue to work on expanding nonstop service from SAT,” said Jesus Saenz, Jr., Director of Airports for the City of San Antonio. “The ties between our region and Europe continue to grow, and reconnecting SAT and Europe will remain a top priority.”

Marc Anderson, President and CEO of Visit San Antonio, echoed this sentiment. “San Antonio stands as one of the most authentic and historic destinations in the United States, deserving recognition as a global brand. Through our campaigns in Europe, we’ve witnessed firsthand the excitement for San Antonio’s unique offerings. We are committed to building on this momentum to attract new international flights and create meaningful opportunities for our community.”

A Bright Outlook Despite Challenges

Despite the setback, local leaders remain steadfast in their vision of positioning San Antonio as a global hub. With efforts to strengthen San Antonio’s international reputation and build on its recent successes, officials are confident in their ability to secure new transatlantic routes and further integrate the region into the global economy.

As the city looks ahead, the collaborative spirit between greater:SATX, SAT, and Visit San Antonio will play a crucial role in reestablishing vital connections to Europe and beyond.