London Gatwick boosts business travel routes with new Frankfurt and Paris flights

14 Apr

London Gatwick has strengthened its business travel offering with the launch of Condor’s first-ever UK route to Frankfurt and the return of Air France to the airport for the first time since 1996 with a twice-daily service to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

This is important news for Global Travel Management’s customers because it gives UK-based business travellers more choice, greater schedule flexibility and stronger onward connections through two of Europe’s most important aviation hubs, making business travel to continental Europe and beyond easier to plan and potentially more efficient for same-day or short-stay itineraries. Frankfurt is one of Europe’s busiest international gateways, while Paris Charles de Gaulle offers extensive global connectivity across the United States, Africa, Asia and South America.

London Gatwick said Condor began operating its new Frankfurt route from the North Terminal on 1 April 2026, with three flights a day designed to offer morning, afternoon and evening options. According to the airport, the schedule offers “excellent flexibility for business travellers needing same-day returns”, while also strengthening Gatwick’s short-haul network and providing onward access through Frankfurt to destinations including Africa and Asia via Condor’s wider network.

Jonny Macneal, Head of Aviation Development at London Gatwick, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Condor to London Gatwick, offering passengers even greater choice with this new, frequent service to Frankfurt. Whether travelling for work, leisure or to see loved ones, the route provides fantastic flexibility and connectivity. Condor’s arrival marks yet another exciting landmark in what has been a period of significant growth for the airport.”

David Carlisle, Vice President Network Planning and Partnerships at Condor, said:

“Today’s inaugural flight to London Gatwick marks another important milestone in the expansion of our European route network. London is one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations, both for business travellers and short city breaks. We are delighted to offer our guests up to three daily frequencies, providing maximum flexibility as well as convenient access to our long-haul network to Africa and Asia.”

Air France, meanwhile, started its new twice-daily Gatwick to Paris Charles de Gaulle service on 30 March 2026, giving passengers direct access to the French capital and to the airline’s wider worldwide network. London Gatwick said the route is operated on Air France’s Airbus A220 and marks the airline’s first flights from the airport since 1996. The published schedule includes departures from Gatwick at 10:30 and 17:10, with return flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle at 09:20 and 15:45, all in local time.

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer at London Gatwick, said:

“It's fantastic to see Air France now operating from London Gatwick, giving passengers even more choice for direct flights to Paris and seamless access to Air France’s extensive global network. Welcoming such a prestigious and world-famous carrier underscores the strength of Gatwick’s offer and the continued appetite from leading airlines to operate here. Their arrival, alongside other major brands joining the airport, reflects both the strong demand for Gatwick slots and the momentum behind our ongoing growth.”

Jerome Salemi, Air France-KLM General Manager (UK & Ireland), said:

“We are delighted to launch our new London Gatwick to Paris service, further strengthening Air France’s footprint in London and the South-East. The strong interest we are already seeing highlights the importance of connectivity for both local and international travellers, be it for holidays, business trips or to visit friends and family.”

Together, the two route launches underline Gatwick’s growing role in the UK business travel market. The airport said Condor was its fifth new airline in less than two weeks when the Frankfurt route launched, and both press releases noted that London Gatwick is welcoming nine new airlines this year or this summer, including carriers such as Jet2, Eurowings, Pegasus, Beijing Capital, Air Arabia and AirAsia X.

Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, said:

“For UK-based business travellers, stronger connectivity to Frankfurt and Paris from London Gatwick is a real advantage. More frequent services can give travellers greater flexibility, support tighter schedules and improve access to onward international destinations, all of which can help make business travel programmes more efficient and more resilient.”

With more flights to two key European hubs, improved timings for outward and return journeys, and stronger long-haul connection opportunities, these developments are likely to be welcomed by organisations looking to build more choice and flexibility into their business travel arrangements.

For further information about what these new services could mean for your business travel plans, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.