German airline Eurowings is introducing a number of service adjustments for passengers at the start of the summer peak travel season. From June 1, 2026, passengers on all routes will receive Hitschies brand chewing gum as a new farewell gift upon disembarking, replacing the previous candies.
Furthermore, the airline is expanding its goodwill policy for traveling families. From now on, foldable wagons can be transported free of charge as checked baggage, provided a child up to and including eleven years of age is registered with the booking. This new policy complements the existing rule that allows up to two items of equipment per child, such as strollers, car seats, or travel cots, to be transported without additional charges.
In addition to improvements in customer service, the Lufthansa subsidiary is celebrating a significant operational milestone at its largest foreign base. The group's ground handling company, Wings Handling, is marking its fifth anniversary at Palma de Mallorca Airport. Since commencing operations on May 20, 2021, the subsidiary has handled approximately 63.000 Eurowings flights on the Spanish holiday island, managing ground operations for around 9,5 million passengers. The service provider's workforce in Mallorca has now grown to approximately 300 employees, who are responsible for managing the busy summer flight schedule.
The strategic importance of Wings Handling has increased further as a result of the restructuring within the Lufthansa Group. Since last winter's flight schedule, the ground handling company has been active not only abroad but also at Düsseldorf Airport, Eurowings' largest German hub. The subsidiary's range of services encompasses all activities on the apron, including loading and unloading aircraft, baggage transfer, passenger transport by bus, and returning aircraft to their parking positions. By taking over these core tasks in-house, the airline aims to ensure punctuality and operational stability at its most important locations, making it less dependent on external service providers.
Industry experts see the expansion of in-house handling as a targeted step towards reducing the risk of delays, which have increasingly led to financial burdens at major German airports during recent summer travel periods. The logistical link between Mallorca and Düsseldorf also allows the group to shift personnel resources more flexibly between the two locations, depending on seasonal demand. At the same time, new services such as bringing a handcart illustrate the intense competition in the European holiday flight segment, where airlines are trying to differentiate themselves from ultra-low-cost carriers by offering family-friendly conditions.