Mayor Phil Gordon hints at return of Lufthansa air service

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said Wednesday Phoenix will gain at least one more flight to Europe within the next 12 months.

Gordon did not directly mention German airline Lufthansa AG but an image of the carrier appeared as the mayor made his promise during the annual State of the City Address Wednesday.

Lufthansa pulled out of Phoenix in 2004 saying its flight to Frankfurt was not profitable. The city has been meeting with a number of airlines to try to get more international service, said Deb Ostreicher, deputy aviation director at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

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Phoenix only has one flight to Europe -- a British Airways flight to London -- and none to Asia. The city also is hoping to attract direct service from Emirates, a Dubai-based airline that is expanding into the U.S.