Denver International Airport and Lufthansa Celebrate 25 Years of Connecting Denver to Continental Europe

DENVER - March 25, 2026 - Denver International Airport (DEN) and Lufthansa are celebrating 25 years of nonstop flights to Germany, making Lufthansa the longest tenured airline connecting the Mile High City with continental Europe. Since inaugurating nonstop service between Denver and Frankfurt, Germany (FRA), on March 25, 2001, Lufthansa has operated more than 22,000 flights and served more than six million passengers at DEN.

In recognition of this milestone, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston issued a mayoral proclamation declaring March 25, 2026, as "Lufthansa 25th Anniversary in Denver Day," honoring the airline's enduring partnership with Denver.

"For 25 years, Lufthansa has connected millions of people from Denver to Germany and communities around the world, bringing families together, creating lifelong memories and becoming a trusted part of so many journeys," Mayor Mike Johnston said. "We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Lufthansa and grateful for their partnership in welcoming the world to Denver."

Over the past quarter-century, Lufthansa has expanded its Denver footprint beyond Frankfurt, launching nonstop service to Munich, Germany (MUC) in 2016, and in 2025, making history as the first airline to operate the Airbus A380 at DEN for flights to Munich.

"The day Lufthansa launched service at DEN in 2001 was a pivotal moment in the airport's history," DEN CEO Phil Washington said. "It marked the beginning of a new era that expanded both DEN's international reach and connectivity while further solidifying Colorado's position on the global stage."

The anniversary also coincides with a broader moment in aviation history, as 2026 marks 100 years since the founding of the first Lufthansa airline in Germany.

"We are thrilled to have reached this milestone year in the Denver market and remain an active and committed partner to Denver International Airport and the surrounding community. For 25 years, Lufthansa's service between Denver and Germany has done more than connect two regions-it has connected businesses, strengthened investment ties and opened Colorado to global opportunity. These flights are a vital bridge between the Rocky Mountain region and the world," Dirk Janzen, Lufthansa Group Vice President for Passenger Sales of the Americas, said. "Furthermore, the proclamation that Mayor Mike Johnston bestowed upon Lufthansa is a meaningful distinction that signifies the solid partnership that the two cities - Denver and Frankfurt - continue to have with each other."

Today, Lufthansa continues to play a critical role in supporting Colorado's global expansion, not only by offering nonstop flights to Germany - one of Denver's largest European markets in terms of travel demand - but by connecting passengers across the world through its hubs in FRA and MUC. And the iconic Airbus A380 is scheduled to return to the skies above the Centennial State on July 1, 2026, offering daily flights between DEN and MUC through Sept. 27, 2026.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN's monthly newsletter Nonstop News.