Travel Links Interview with Mr. Kevin Markette, Senior Director- Regional Sales South South Asia for the Lufthansa Group
About Kevin:
Based in New Delhi, Kevin oversees all commercial activities for the Lufthansa Group across the South Asia region, including the strategically important Indian market. A seasoned aviation executive, Kevin brings over 20 years of leadership experience within Lufthansa Group, having successfully managed commercial, customer, and operational teams across Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. Raised in Spain and South Africa and trained as a Commercial Pilot, Kevin offers a truly global perspective and strong intercultural fluency.
According to Lufthansa Group Vice President Asia Pacific and Joint Ventures East, Felipe Bonifatti: “With over two decades at Lufthansa Group, Kevin brings extensive international experience to the Asia Pacific region. His sharp commercial insight and passion for our industry make him an invaluable addition. I am delighted to welcome him to Delhi, where he will lead all commercial activities for the Lufthansa Group in this strategically important market.”
Kevin is passionate about building high-performing, cross-cultural teams and cultivating long-term partnerships with customers and stakeholders. Outside of work, he and his wife Jolene enjoy traveling, culinary adventures, and spending time outdoors.
Questions and Answers:
Lufthansa’s association with India spans several decades. Looking back, what has been the biggest milestone in strengthening the India-Germany air corridor?
India has been a cornerstone of Lufthansa Group’s international network for more than six decades, reflecting our longstanding commitment to one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets. Today, Lufthansa Group is the largest European airline group serving India, connecting five Indian gateways with four European hubs and operating around 11 daily departures. This sustained investment has created one of the strongest aviation bridges between India and Europe, supporting business, tourism and cultural exchange while reinforcing our long-term confidence in the Indian market.
India is now among Lufthansa Group’s fastest-growing markets. What is driving this momentum, and where do you see the next phase of growth coming from?
India’s growth is being driven by a rapidly expanding middle class, stronger business ties with Europe, growing outbound leisure travel, and increasing demand for premium travel. Looking ahead, we see tremendous potential in premium leisure, corporate travel, SMEs, and student mobility, supported by India’s sustained economic growth and closer cooperation with Europe.
Lufthansa recently expanded its India operations. Can travellers expect more flights, new gateways or increased frequencies in the coming months?
We’re continuously evaluating opportunities to grow where demand and operational conditions support expansion. This year alone, we’ve made significant investments in the Indian market, including introducing our new Allegris cabin on multiple routes, deploying the Boeing 787-9 to Delhi and Hyderabad – and to Mumbai from early August— – s well as operating our flagship Airbus A380 to Mumbai. Looking ahead, SWISS will launch its first-ever nonstop service between Zurich and Bengaluru from late October. India remains a strategic growth market for Lufthansa Group, and we will continue investing in both our network and the customer experience.
The new Allegris cabin experience is creating considerable interest worldwide. When can Indian travellers expect to experience Lufthansa’s latest premium products across more routes?
India was one of the first markets outside our home markets to experience Allegris, underscoring its strategic importance to Lufthansa Group. Customers in Bengaluru already enjoy the new cabin experience, while Delhi and Hyderabad are now served by our latest Boeing 787-9 aircraft featuring Allegris. From early August, Mumbai will also welcome the Boeing 787-9 with Allegris. As more aircraft enter our fleet, we will continue expanding the rollout, with the goal of bringing our latest premium products to as many customers in India as quickly as operationally possible.
From digital services to airport experience, what are the most significant upgrades Lufthansa has introduced recently to make the passenger journey more seamless?
We’re investing across the entire customer journey. That includes our new Allegris cabins, digital self-service tools, improved mobile functionality, biometric innovations at selected airports, and onboard connectivity through Starlink on selected aircraft launching this year. Together, these investments make travel simpler, more personalised and more comfortable.
Sustainability has become central to aviation. Beyond Sustainable Aviation Fuel, what tangible steps is Lufthansa Group taking today that passengers can actually experience or benefit from?
Sustainability is about much more than fuel. Lufthansa Group is investing billions of euros in one of the world’s most modern and fuel-efficient fleets, helping to reduce emissions while also delivering quieter aircraft and an enhanced onboard experience. Customers can also choose Green Fares, which combine sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with carbon offsetting, while our latest aircraft and cabin designs are lighter and more energy efficient without compromising comfort.
Beyond investments in the customer experience, we’re also investing in innovation. This includes our patented AeroSHARK technology, which reduces aerodynamic drag and improves fuel efficiency, further supporting our efforts to reduce emissions across our operations.
Germany continues to attract Indian leisure travellers, business visitors and students. Which segment do you believe offers the greatest untapped potential over the next few years?
All three segments are growing strongly, but I believe premium leisure offers the greatest untapped opportunity. Indian travellers are increasingly looking for authentic, high-quality experiences beyond traditional destinations, and Germany offers exactly that – from cultural cities and castles to wine regions, nature and Christmas markets – while remaining an excellent gateway to the rest of Europe.
With increasing competition on Europe routes, what do you believe continues to set Lufthansa Group apart for Indian travellers and the travel trade?
All three segments are performing strongly, but I believe premium leisure presents the greatest growth opportunity. Indian travellers are increasingly seeking authentic, high-quality experiences beyond the traditional European hotspots, and Germany is ideally positioned to meet that demand. Whether it’s vibrant cultural cities, historic castles, world-renowned wine regions, spectacular natural landscapes or iconic Christmas markets, Germany offers a rich diversity of experiences while also serving as an excellent gateway to the rest of Europe.
Travel Links has long championed premium, experiential and sustainable tourism. How do you see the travel media and trade working alongside airlines like Lufthansa to inspire more Indians to explore Germany and Europe beyond the traditional destinations?
The travel trade and media play a vital role in inspiring travel and shaping destination choices. Together, we have an opportunity to showcase experiences beyond the well-known cities—from charming towns and villages to culinary journeys, outdoor adventures and more sustainable ways to explore Germany. The more we tell these stories together, the more we can inspire travellers to discover a different side of Germany and, through our hubs, the rest of Europe.
Finally, if you had to describe Lufthansa Group’s vision for India in just one sentence, what would it be?
Our vision is to be India’s preferred European airline group by connecting people, cultures and economies in a sustainable way through the most modern fleet, the best premium experience and an unwavering commitment to this remarkable market.
About Lufthansa Group
The Lufthansa Group is an aviation group with operations worldwide. With 100,000+ employees from 164 nations worldwide, Lufthansa Group generated revenue of €37.6bn in the financial year 2024. Our largest business segment is Passenger Airlines while other key business segments include Logistics and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO). Other companies and Group functions such as IT companies and Lufthansa Aviation Training form complementary components of the Group. All airlines and business segments play leading roles in their respective markets.
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