Airport adds three international nonstop flights

FORT MYERS — Southwest Florida International Airport, coming off several records in monthly and yearly passenger traffic, has another big announcement: More nonstop flights to Germany.

The new flights, are scheduled to debut in May 2018, are from low-cost sector leader Eurowings. The airline, a unit of the Lufthansa Group, will offer twice weekly nonstop service from Fort Myers to Munich Airport and a weekly flight to Cologne Bonn Airport, according to a statement. Flights will operate on an Airbus A330 with 310 seats.

The new flights are an addition of the service to Germany from Southwest Florida International Airport. Air Berlin flies nonstop to Dusseldorf from the airport, under the call letters RSW.

“These flights will strengthen the bridge between Germany and Southwest Florida,” says Lee County Port Authority Executive Director Jeff Mulder in the statement. “Travelers from Fort Myers will now be able to reach two extremely popular destinations in Germany more conveniently, as well as take advantage of connecting flights throughout Europe. We also look forward to welcoming more European visitors to experience the natural beauty of Southwest Florida.”

Eurowings made the announcement about the flights to Germany as part of a larger expansion of its coverage area, particularly in southern Germany. The airline added 10 destinations, including Fort Myers and Las Vegas in the United States.

Southwest Florida International Airport set a May record for passenger this past May, when 629,321 passengers traveled through the airport. The airport served about 8.6 million passengers in 2016.