Glasgow Airport has further strengthened its European route network after German low cost carrier Eurowings confirmed it will introduce direct flights to the Bavarian capital of Munich.

The airline, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, will introduce a year round, twice weekly service with the inaugural flight taking off on 31 March 2017. The flights will operate on a Wednesday departing at 0805 and on a Friday departing at 1330.

Eurowings’ parent company Lufthansa currently operates a seasonal Saturday flight to Munich from Glasgow.

Munich is the third largest city in Germany and is renowned for its stunning architecture, surrounding snow-topped mountains and the annual Oktoberfest festival which attracts tens of thousands of tourists from across the globe every year.

Glasgow Airport has secured over 50 new routes and services over the course of the past two years including services to a host of European cities including Brussels, Budapest, Bucharest, Prague, Milan and Bordeaux.

Francois Bourienne, commercial director at Glasgow Airport, said: “We have enjoyed real success in strengthening our connectivity with key European cities, all of which have generated significant demand from passengers. This introduction of Eurowings’ direct service to Munich is fantastic news for Glasgow and for our passengers. Not only will it result in a regular twice weekly service to one of the wealthiest regions in Europe, our passengers will have access to the extensive onward connectivity offered by the Lufthansa network.”

Councillor Frank McAveety, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow is open for business and open to visitors and we have worked hard to further increase our connectivity with the world. Munich is a fantastic city and a key hub and I’m delighted that at a time of great uncertainty, we’re further strengthening our ties with our European neighbours.”

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, added: “VisitScotland plays a very important role in partnering airlines on innovative marketing programmes, helping to bring new and extended routes to Scotland’s network. We are delighted that Eurowings has introduced this new service from Munich, which will allow us to welcome even more visitors from one of Scotland’s biggest international markets.”