Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Interview: Mr. Christian Schindler, General Manager Korea, Lufthansa German Airlines,

Lufthansa German Airlines' representation in Korea began in 1966 with the signing of a General Sales Agency agreement between Lufthansa and Hyopsung Shipping. However, it was not until November 1984 that Lufthansa commenced its own flight services, flying from Seoul via Anchorage to Frankfurt.

Since then, as noted by Mr. Christian Schindler, General Manager Korea, Lufthansa German Airlines, the company has grown as a major partner in Korea's air-travel sector. Currently it offers a total of 11 weekly flights between Korea and Europe with six weekly flights on the Seoul-Frankfurt route and five weekly flights on the Busan-Munich route (via Seoul).
“Today, we are the largest European airline on the Korean market and are enjoying a growing number of Korean customers. We are also the only European carrier to operate from Busan, he told Infomag.
It also helps that Lufthansa is a founding member of the world's largest aviation network, Star Alliance, which has 28 international airline partners including Asiana Airlines, connecting six continents.
Mr. Schindler joined Lufthansa in 1991, being assigned the networking planning manager for domestic and Benelux passenger services, and as network planning manager and coordinator for the Munich Hub. In 1998, he became business partnership manager and in 2001 was promoted to global corporSince then, as noted by Mr. Christian Schindler, General Manager Korea, Lufthansa German Airlines, the company has grown as a major partner in Korea's air-travel sector. Currently it offers a total of 11 weekly flights between Korea and Europe with six weekly flights on the Seoul-Frankfurt route and five weekly flights on the Busan-Munich route (via Seoul).
“Today, we are the largest European airline on the Korean market and are enjoying a growing number of Korean customers. We are also the only European carrier to operate from Busan, he said.
It also helps that Lufthansa is a founding member of the world's largest aviation network, Star Alliance, which has 28 international airline partners including Asiana Airlines, connecting six continents.
Mr. Schindler joined Lufthansa in 1991, being assigned the networking planning manager for domestic and Benelux passenger services, and as network planning manager and coordinator for the Munich Hub. In 1998, he became business partnership manager and in 2001 was promoted to global corporate key account manager. Since 2004, he was general manager of Morocco until being assigned to Korea last year.
The airlines' success can be largely attributed to the fact that it has localized its operations to cater better to the Korean customers, he said.
Lufthansa provides a choice of Korean cuisine, including bibimbab, cup noodles with kimchi and red-pepper paste as well as a wide selection of beverages including beer and wine.
First and Business Class passengers can indulge themselves in the new Star Chef menus created by Chef Park Hyo-nam of the Millennium Seoul Hilton with wines specially selected by the World's Master of Sommeliers, Markus Del Monego.
Other amenities include various Korean magazines and video/audio entertainment offerings, all tailored for Korean travelers. Upon arrival at Frankfurt and Munich Airports, a ``Korean Welcome Service'' is provided with Korean personnel on hand to meet and greet travelers and assist them with all their needs and information.
We are considered to be the most Korean of all European carriers that fly from here. Moreover, our strong brand and large network of connections makes us the preferred choice of flight,he said.
While the economic slump last year did affect operational revenues, 2010 is expected see a strong rebound. More so, since the Korean economy has displayed an amazing recovery on the back of strong exports.
Speaking on the challenges that foreign carrier face in Korea, he noted that language is a major issue. It is very important to cater to the local needs to meet the various demands of korean customers. For this reason, Lufthansa has deployed many websites and link sites in Korean offering specialized services and has been providing a variety of online promotions for the Korean and foreign customers.
“We see the Internet as the future. Within the next five years, 3 out of every 4 passengers will use the Internet for their travel. The market is seeing a big shift, with more and more people moving towards web portals. This is the worldwide trend, and we hope to doubled our share of web presence.
The strategy is to offer competitive pricing, with attractive high end products. The airline is therefore averse to scaling down its services. It guarantees that economy class pasenger can book seats, special meals with alcoholic drinks all for free and at very competiitve prices.
In this context he noted that the budget carriers do not offer any competition to Lufthansa's operations in Korea.
“The long-haul business has always been low cost, so there is no scope for further price cuts by the budget cariers. It is only in short-haul routes that the budget carriers can prosper. This has been very much evident in Europe, where carriers like Ryan Air and EasyJet have a 40 percent market share in short-haul routes. The same is the case in Asia,he said.
Lufthansa passengers on long haul routes have access to a comprehensive program of entertainment with the extended Lufthansa Media World, 65 video options with 30 cinema films in up to eight languages, 25 TV programs and 10 music magazines from all over the world, 100 CD's, a selection of audio books, 24 radio programs with many international channels, games of skill, action-, board and strategy games as well as 11 language courses. So naturally, passengers prefer these premium services for long trips.
He was also full praise for the quality of services offered at Incheon Airport and said that most of the foreign carriers are appreciative of the facilities. Recent talks of privatization of the airport are welcome
The government announced recently, as part of its budget proposal to sell a 49 percent stake in the airport operator next year. Incheon International Airport Corporation is assessing the share value and sales price with investment bank advisers who will manage the initial public offering. However, an amendment to a related legislation that would authorize the privatization is still pending in the National Assembly after it was introduced last year. A majority of opposition party lawmakers are against the plan.
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs justify the privatization by arguing that the airport must be supervised by an agency with operating expertise and the ability to attract more financial and capital support so Incheon International Airport can develop further as a leading global airport hub..
“Overall privatized infrastructure is the way to go for the future. It will be a triple win situation for the airport, carriers and passengers. One can expect reduced prices and improvements in services, he said.

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