Lufthansa's exit paved way for Paderborn establishing their own airline, in an effort to secure local airports.

In a surprising turn of events, the small airport in Paderborn, known in aviation jargon as "PAD," is gearing up for a new beginning. This comes after Lufthansa announced the cancellation of numerous direct flights due to sluggish domestic air traffic recovery compared to the rest of Europe and significantly higher taxes and fees.

The connection of the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region to the world was at risk of being severed due to Lufthansa's decision. However, a new player is stepping in to fill the void. The new airline, Skyhub PAD, has raised 2.25 million euros from local entrepreneurs, and it's set to resume scheduled flights from PAD, with the maiden flight on Monday morning at 7:00 AM.

The idea for Skyhub PAD was born out of necessity. On a crisp autumn day in October 2022, Christoph Rüther, the district administrator of Paderborn, learned that Lufthansa intended to discontinue its three daily flights to Munich. In a surprising move, Rüther suggested founding their own airline, which he later admitted was naive regarding the bureaucratic hurdles.

However, with the support of local businesspeople, the idea took flight. Skyhub PAD was financed with 2.25 million euros by about 59 entrepreneurs and private individuals from Ostwestfalen-Lippe and Südwestfalen, under the leadership of Christoph Plass, Vice President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Ostwestfalen zu Bielefeld.

Ryanair, despite withdrawing from many other German airports, still feels at home in Paderborn. The airline's quick turnaround times make it a popular choice for the leisure flights that dominate Paderborn's traffic. Most of the traffic in Paderborn is directed towards popular destinations such as Antalya, Palma, and the Greek islands.

The aircraft adorned with logos of various companies from Ostwestfalen-Lippe will take to the skies for the first time, marking a new chapter for Paderborn's aviation industry. Even the airport chief, Hüser, is excited about the development. With a long row of model airplanes in his office, including a Concorde, Hüser has been a steadfast advocate for aviation in Paderborn.

In an effort to attract passengers, Skyhub PAD is offering discounted tickets in the first week, selling them for 89 euros instead of 149 euros. This move is expected to boost the number of passengers at Paderborn Airport, which skyrocketed from 500,000 in 2022 to 820,000 in the following year.

With the resumption of scheduled flights, the connection of Ostwestphalia to the aviation world is now secure. The short distances and lack of a night flight ban in Paderborn make it an ideal location for quick boarding and efficient flights. As Skyhub PAD takes to the skies, it marks a new era for aviation in Paderborn and the surrounding region.

Lufthansa's exit paved way for Paderborn establishing their own airline, in an effort to secure local airports.