Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Mr. Bernhard Wodl, who brings with him a wealth of experience as the General Manager of Lufthansa Group for Central Asia and Caucasus Region, based in Almaty. With a tenure of two years in the region, Mr. Wodl has been at the head of one of the leading aviation entities, overseeing sales and strategies that significantly impact air travel within Kazakhstan and the broader region. As we delve into our conversation, we aim to gain insights into the current landscape of Lufthansa Group's operations in Kazakhstan and the surrounding areas. We'll explore the challenges, changes, news and strategies employed by Mr. Wodl and his team to navigate the complexities of the aviation industry, particularly in the unique context of this region. So, without further ado, let's dive into our discussion and uncover the status quo of Lufthansa Group in Kazakhstan and beyond, as shared by the esteemed Mr. Wodl.
What are your expectations from the year 2024?
For 2024, we expect the trend of short-term bookings in Kazakhstan to continue. We anticipate a slight increase in corporate bookings as well. There is still a significant trend of exploring Europe, with customers showing great interest in shopping, cultural experiences, and medical trips. Short-term challenges remain, such as time zone changes and the night-time airport closure in Astana. An important step to enhance the travel experience will be the new terminal in Almaty, which we believe will greatly improve passenger satisfaction.
Do you plan to increase frequences to the market, open new routes?
We regularly review potential new destinations, but it's too early to provide detailed information at this time. One of the challenges we face for this year is the night-time airport closure in Astana. However, we managed to offer this summer daily connections from Almaty and four weekly flights from Astana. The different timings of these flights provide even better connections in Frankfurt. However, we plan to reduce these flights in the winter again like previous years, as Kazakhstan shows a very strong seasonal demand.
Which services and products, in your opinion, are most appreciated by your customers?
From what we have observed, several of our services and products are highly appreciated by our customers, particularly the reliability, excellent service, and global network through Frankfurt. Firstly, our Premium Economy Class has seen a significant increase in demand. Customers value the additional benefits it offers, such as the allowance for two pieces of luggage, each weighing up to 23 kg. Additionally, the extra space onboard provides more comfort, and the enhanced catering options are a big hit as well. Our Corporate value participation in our B2B Program PartnerPlusBenefit. This program provides numerous advantages for business travelers, making it a valuable offering for our corporate clients. The benefits it offers help streamline travel and provide added value to our customers, making it a key part of our service offering.
What do you offer to your frequent travelers?
The Lufthansa Group is simplifying its status programme. In the future, customers will be offered a clearer, more transparent earning system for achieving and retaining Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle status. There will also be greater rewards for loyalty to the airlines of the Lufthansa Group. In the future, the most loyal passengers will be eligible for the new Frequent Traveller Lifetime status in addition to the existing Senator Lifetime status. All changes to the status programme apply to flights from 1 January 2024.
When will Allegris be introduced to KZ market?
The Lufthansa Group is currently undergoing the largest fleet modernization in its history. In 2024, the company will again take delivery of more than 30 new aircraft, including around 20 long-haul jets. A double-digit number of Boeing 787-9 "Dreamliners", eight Airbus A350-900s will be delivered to the company. All new long-haul aircraft for Lufthansa will be equipped with the new Allegris Product. The Kazakhstan routes are currently operated on Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft. A retrofit of the existing fleet is planned, but this process is being delayed due to difficulties in supplier chain. Therefore, it is currently uncertain when the new product will be available on routes to Almaty and Astana.
Talking about the environmental protection, and is CO2 emission reduction, what LHG do to achieve its ESG goals?
Air travel contributes nearly three percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, with the Lufthansa Group leading the way in sustainable air travel. Aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and cut net carbon emissions by half by 2030, Lufthansa plans to introduce at least 190 more fuel-efficient aircraft by 2030, reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to 30 percent. They also modify existing fleets with fuel-saving technology like AeroSHARK. As one of the largest purchasers of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Lufthansa is involved in projects to produce SAF on a global scale, including Power-to-Liquid crude oil and solar aviation fuel. They reduce in-flight waste by avoiding single-use plastics and using sustainable packaging, recognized with a German Design Award. Additionally, the digital platform Compensaid allows passengers to offset their carbon footprint, integrating options for carbon-neutral flying directly into the booking process.
What is the future of the aviation in Kazakhstan in your opinion?
In Kazakhstan, we could see a rise in air travel demand driven by economic growth and an increasing number of tourists. There's potential for the development of tourism and MICE business even further. This requires investments in modernized airport infrastructure before developing new flight routes. In Kazakhstan we might also focus more on eco-friendly practices and sustainable development to align with
global aviation trends and address environmental challenges, tapping into the country's burgeoning tourism potential.
Thank you for the interview, and we wish Lufthansa Group prosperity and many new aircraft and routes!
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