The news came as a relief to the Paderborn/Lippstadt region: From September 1, 2025, there will again be a regular, multiple-daily flight connection to the important Munich hub.
This is made possible by the newly founded Skyhub PAD GmbH & Co. KG in cooperation with the Danish airline DAT (Danish Air Transport). Aircraft will operate up to three times a day, Monday through Friday and on Sundays, between Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport (PAD) and Munich's Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC). The direct connections, which will initially be bookable, represent a first, significant step toward restoring the connection to the southern German hub, which is equally important for business and private travelers, after the previous connection was discontinued at the end of May 2025.
A solidarity for the region: Initiative supports resumption
The initiative to revive this flight route originated from a coalition of regional entrepreneurs and committed private individuals who formed in the fall of 2024. Their common goal was to maintain the connection to Munich, which was considered essential for the local economy. In March 2025, these efforts culminated in the founding of Skyhub PAD GmbH & Co. KG, which provided the necessary capital for the initial financing of flight operations. Just one month later, a contract was signed with the airline DAT, which agreed to operate the flights. The recent announcement of the specific flight times marks another important milestone in this remarkable project.
The flight times from Paderborn/Lippstadt are designed to provide optimal connections to onward flights in Munich. Southbound flights depart at 7:00 a.m. (arrival at 8:25 a.m.), 13:55 p.m. (arrival at 15:20 p.m.), and 18:30 p.m. (arrival at 19:55 p.m.).
These times are strategically chosen to facilitate connections to numerous international connections from Munich, particularly to the United States and Asia. In the opposite direction, the planes will depart Munich at 9:00 a.m. (arriving in Paderborn/Lippstadt at 10:30 a.m.), at 16:10 p.m. (arriving at 17:35 p.m.), and at 20:35 p.m. (arriving at 22:00 p.m.). The direct flights are now bookable via the online platforms www.Skyhub-pad.de and www.dat.dk, giving travelers the opportunity to make their plans now.
Next step: Interlining with Lufthansa for seamless transfers
A crucial next step is the planned integration into Lufthansa's route network via an interlining agreement. Skyhub PAD and DAT are working intensively to finalize this agreement, which would enable passengers to conveniently check their baggage through during transfers in Munich and seamlessly continue their journey. Skyhub PAD expects these direct connections to be available for booking in June 2025. This would significantly increase the attractiveness of the new connection for business travelers and leisure travelers alike, as the connection to Lufthansa's global network opens up a multitude of destinations worldwide.
Christoph Plass, who, in his role as Vice President of the East Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in Bielefeld, was instrumental in initiating and implementing the project and is now Chairman of the Advisory Board of Skyhub PAD GmbH & Co. KG, expressed his great satisfaction with the progress so far. He emphasized the pioneering spirit behind this project, as there was no direct model for the chosen business model and therefore all details had to be worked out from scratch. He thanked the shareholders of Skyhub PAD, DAT, and Lufthansa for their exemplary support, as well as his colleagues in the operational team. The many hundreds of hours already invested in the project are now paying off, as the region will soon be connected to the important Munich hub again with up to three daily flights.
For flights between Paderborn/Lippstadt and Munich, DAT will use an ATR72-600, a turboprop aircraft that comfortably seats 70 passengers. Klaus Marx, Managing Director of Skyhub PAD GmbH & Co. KG, emphasized the special characteristics of this aircraft type. The ATR72-600 is not only particularly quiet and efficient for shorter routes, but thanks to state-of-the-art technology, it is also more advanced than older models.
Given the already strong demand, the company expects rapid bookings for the first flights. One-way fares start at €149, including all taxes and fees. The imminent finalization of the interlining agreement with Lufthansa is seen as the next crucial step in making the Paderborn/Lippstadt region's connections to the rest of the world even more convenient. Skyhub PAD will inform the public immediately as soon as concrete information is available.
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