March 22, 2007: In keeping with its line of operations German airline Condor has decided to axe its twice-weekly service to Frankfurt. The decision is expected to come into effect by this April-end.

It is a norm for the airline that every six months, it reviews services and decides where to make changes. As per this, it had decided that for the summer season, Orlando is a stronger destination.

This is not the first time that Condor has dropped its service. Post-September 11 attacks of 2001, Condor had suspended flights to Fort Myers. However, they were resumed in May 2003.

Yet another reason being cited for the decision to snip services is that stiffer competition for the German market in Southwest Florida played a part in the decision. Statistics say that Condor had served 46,000 passengers at Southwest Florida International Airport with two weekly nonstop flights to Frankfurt, during fiscal 2006. The airline represents 25 percent of the international market share at the airport.

Meanwhile, industry watchers say that Condor’s departure leaves the door open for LTU to expand its service. In a couple of months, LTU is expected to add two weekly flights to Munich and another flight to Dusseldorf to its once-weekly service to both designations.