A 30 member local trade delegation is traveling to Germany on the first flight out of St. Louis.

St. Louis regional business, civic, and governmental leaders joined representatives of Lufthansa Airlines today at St. Louis Lambert International Airport to celebrate the inaugural Lufthansa service to and from Frankfurt, Germany – the first non-stop flights from St. Louis to continental Europe in over 20 years.

Among the passengers on the sold-out flight to Frankfurt was a trade delegation of nearly 30 local leaders focused on attracting new business to St. Louis.

“This roundtrip service will play a critical role in St. Louis’ business attraction efforts, as noted by the 30-member trade delegation traveling to Germany on the very first flight,” said Jason Hall, CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Lufthansa Airlines has been an amazing partner throughout this process, and we look forward to strengthening our relationship moving forward.”

The new non-stop flight service is expected to have a significant impact on the regional economy and increase St. Louis’ ability to compete on the global stage. Industry research and statements from peer metros across the country indicate that non-stop service to Europe adds between $50 million and $100 million per year to a region’s economy.

“St. Louis has many ingredients for success on a global scale: world-class industries, and educated workforce, and a regional focus on innovation,” said Rodney Crim, CEO and President, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. “With the launch of direct flights to Europe, and the strong support of the St. Louis County Port Authority and the regional business community, we now count global connectivity among these ingredients for success.”

“Excitement is contagious and I’m happy to be here to spread that excitement,” St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said. “This shows what is possible when we come together as a region.”

“I want to put St. Louis back on the map and this is doing this,” said St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones.