Lufthansa has flown its first double daily service to Frankfurt from Gatwick, reconnecting the London with the financial centre of Continental Europe.

Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport’s commercial director said: “It is great to welcome Lufthansa and strengthen the links between the financial and economic centres of London and Frankfurt.

“The new Gatwick-Frankfurt route isn’t just good news for the business traveller however.

“It will also benefit the leisure passenger who will be able to plug into Lufthansa’s global network and visit destinations such as Mumbai and Johannesburg.

“This is why the route is so exciting, as it helps make Gatwick one of the most globally connected airports in the world and gives passengers the largest choice of destinations to fly to.”

Passengers already have over 200 destinations to choose from when flying from Gatwick - more than any other UK airport - and by connecting Gatwick to Frankfurt, Lufthansa has opened up even more travel opportunities.

The airline offers flights from Frankfurt to 84 countries, which means passengers in the south-east of England can explore far-flung places such as Buenos Aires with far greater ease from their local London airport - Gatwick.

Gatwick has recently attracted AirAsia X and Vietnam Airlines to the airport as they also recognise that Gatwick provides the quickest and most direct links into central London as well a wide choice of onward travel possibilities to all parts of the UK.