Nationwide initiative to continue connection to Munich from June 2025
The foundation has been laid, the course has been set: ‘skyhubPAD’ will connect the regions of East Westphalia, South Westphalia and Lippe at Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport with the whole world in the future. The initiative, which is unique in Germany and supported by more than 40 companies and private individuals, will continue the connection to Munich from June 2025. Contracts with an internationally renowned airline are in the final stages of negotiation, and flights will be available for booking shortly.
“We are overwhelmed by the approval and support our initiative has received. The reactions are motivating and demonstrate the solidarity in our region. With this tailwind, we can achieve a lot,” explained Christoph Plass, CEO of UNITY Innovation Alliance AG, based in the industrial park at the airport, and Vice-President of the East Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in Bielefeld, at the new company’s first press conference. As founding managing director of skyhub PAD Verwaltungs GmbH, Plass is driving the next steps forward together with experts from various fields of expertise.
Background: Lufthansa announced some time ago that it would discontinue its Munich route at the end of May 2025 despite relatively high capacity utilisation due to the high government costs in Germany. In response, the chairman of the airport supervisory board, District Administrator Christoph Rüther, together with local Member of Parliament Dr Carsten Linnemann, provided the initial impetus for an independent initiative in the region. Recognising the importance of the central flight connection for the economy, Plass and other entrepreneurs took up the challenge.
In addition to raising the necessary start-up capital in the low seven-figure range, the new initiative has already held intensive talks with various airlines that could take over flight operations and with Lufthansa, with which an interlining agreement is to be concluded to continue transfer connections via the Munich hub. ‘We are well on track in all areas. The most important decisions will be made in the next two to four weeks,’ announced Plass in the presence of Maurice Eschweiler (General Representative, DMG MORI AG, Bielefeld), Carsten Hoff (CEO, dSPACE Group, Paderborn), Thilo Pahl (Managing Partner, Bette GmbH & Co., Delbrück) and Andreas Schmidt (Managing Director, SAMbase GmbH).
‘skyhub PAD’ sums up the new company’s field of activity. It is all about connections (hub) in the air (sky) from the popular regional airport (PAD) for the benefit of the entire region. With its offering, the initiative aims to appeal to business travellers and private customers alike. ‘We are transferring a proven product into new structures. The extensive entrepreneurial experience and expertise of those involved, from flight operations and management to communications and marketing, are helping us with this transformation,’ said Plass, highlighting the favourable conditions.
The new company’s tasks include the organisation, financing and marketing of scheduled flights in regional traffic, the commissioning of flight services and the ongoing analysis of air traffic demand in the region. By connecting the region with the whole world, skyhub PAD aims to contribute to the competitiveness of companies and to securing jobs, as well as supporting stays abroad, especially for young people.
Member of the Bundestag Dr Linnemann is enthusiastic: ‘I have never seen such commitment anywhere else in Germany. I am very grateful to everyone involved for their outstanding efforts. This is another reason why I am very confident that the new service will be very popular with businesses and private travellers alike.’
From June 2025, skyhub PAD initially plans to fly twice daily from Paderborn/Lippstadt to Munich and back. A 70-seat turboprop aircraft is expected to be used, which, unlike the previous Lufthansa jet with 90 seats, can be operated more cost-effectively and energy-efficiently. From September 2025, skyhub PAD plans to add a third connection to make the service even more attractive, particularly with regard to transfer options in Munich.
The new structure focuses on maximum reliability and quality. There is also potential for additional demand and further destinations. ‘We want to build on past successes and write a unique success story for which there is no comparable initiative anywhere in Germany,’ said Plass. skyhub PAD will keep its target groups in business and society, as well as the general public, informed about further developments.
Press contact:
Matthias Hack
Head of Communications | Press Officer
skyhub PAD Verwaltungs GmbH
Mobile 0162/1010724
Email matthias.hack@hack-pr.de
