The international networking of medium-sized European cities is being significantly strengthened through an innovative business model. The entrepreneurial initiative Skyhub PAD is expanding its operational network and integrating the Hungarian city of Pécs as its third permanent location in its flight schedule.
From March 29, 2026, a year-round direct connection to the international air traffic hub of Munich will be established. This step primarily aims to meet the high demand from the academic sector and the regional economy. Through the cooperation with the Danish airline DAT and the planned deepening of the partnership with Lufthansa, an infrastructure project is being created that extends beyond mere passenger transport. Connecting a major university city like Pécs to one of Europe's most important hubs promises far-reaching effects on educational cooperation and economic exchange within the continent.
The emergence and expansion of the Skyhub model
The foundation for the current expansion was laid in March 2025, when 36 entrepreneurs and private individuals in the catchment area of Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport joined forces. The goal was to ensure a stable connection to the Munich hub after established airlines had reduced their capacity in this segment. The model is based on joint financing and risk sharing among regional economic actors. The number of shareholders has since grown to 79, underscoring the confidence in this form of privately organized infrastructure.
Following the successful launch of flight operations between Paderborn/Lippstadt and Munich in September, the next logical step in scaling is now underway. The addition of Pécs demonstrates that the concept of on-demand point-to-point connections with a hub system is transferable to other European regions. Danish Air Transport (DAT) is once again acting as the operational partner, providing the necessary aircraft and flight expertise.
Academic sector as a key driver of demand
A key factor in choosing Pécs as the location is the university located there. With over 20.000 students, it is one of the largest educational institutions in Hungary. The Faculty of Medicine, in particular, enjoys an excellent international reputation and attracts a large number of international students for whom efficient travel connections to their home countries or to international transport hubs are essential. Dr. Zsolt Barna, Chairman of the University's sponsoring foundation, sees the Munich connection as a strategic competitive advantage that significantly increases the institution's international visibility and attractiveness.
Academic mobility thus forms the backbone of the calculations for the new flight route. While traditional business travel is often subject to economic fluctuations, university operations ensure a continuous and predictable base load. This is a crucial element for Skyhub PAD to guarantee the economic stability of the entire network.
Economic prospects for the region of southern Hungary
Pécs, a city of around 140.000 inhabitants with a rich history as a European Capital of Culture in 2010, has made efforts in recent years to position itself as a modern business location. The city leadership sees the new flight connection as a gateway to further investment. Mayor Attila Péterffy emphasized that returning to the international air traffic map opens new horizons for tourism and local industry.
The planned codeshare agreement with Lufthansa, targeted for the summer 2026 flight schedule, is of great importance in this context. It will allow passengers from Pécs to access Lufthansa's global route network via Munich with just one ticket and seamless baggage handling. This integration into the global system is a crucial factor for international companies considering establishing operations in the region.
Operational details and future outlook
The company is already anticipating around 90.000 passengers per year for the Paderborn/Lippstadt to Munich route. The exact flight frequencies and times for the route to Pécs are currently being finalized in close coordination with the Hungarian authorities and Munich Airport. It is expected that flight times will be scheduled to ensure optimal connections with long-haul flights in Munich.
Christoph Plass, chairman of the advisory board of Skyhub PAD, indicated that Pécs will not be the last location in the network. The initiative is already in concrete negotiations with other European cities that have a similar profile: a strong regional economy, significant educational institutions, and insufficient connections to major air traffic hubs. The company's strategy aims to achieve synergies in fleet utilization and marketing through a broader base of locations.
Technical implementation by DAT
The Danish airline DAT brings many years of experience in regional air traffic to the partnership. They typically use aircraft types optimized for medium-haul flights and capable of operating efficiently at smaller airports. The reliability of the operational partner is of paramount importance for an initiative like Skyhub PAD, which relies on the trust of local businesses.
With the launch of the connection at the end of March 2026, it will become clear how quickly the market adopts the new service. However, the signs are promising, as the combination of academic need and entrepreneurial commitment provides a solid foundation for success. The development of Skyhub PAD could serve as a blueprint for other regions that want to take ownership of their infrastructure connectivity.