Lufthansa has unveiled plans to launch a series of long-haul services from Munich next summer, including new flights to key Asian cities.

For summer 2018, the German national carrier will reintroduce its direct Munich-Singapore service, with five weekly flights, whilst also deploying its largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, on the routes from Munich to Beijing and Hong Kong.

To cater for these flights, Lufthansa will transfer five of its 14 A380s from Frankfurt to Munich next summer, resulting in the addition of 500 more jobs to the Bavarian hub.

As well as the two Asian mega-cities, Los Angeles will get a direct A380 flight from the Bavarian capital next summer. Also in the US, Lufthansa will start flying direct from Munich to San Diego, whilst adding more flights to Chicago.

“With the A380 we can offer our Munich customers a premium aircraft at a five-star hub,” said Harry Hohmeister, the Lufthansa board member responsible for hub management. “In recent years, we have made great progress in steering our hubs. We harmonised and integrated processes and are now more flexible in utilising our aircraft at different locations. Quality, efficiency and growth will always remain our top priority.”

Lufthansa’s A380 can seat 509 passengers in four cabins, including eight in first class, 78 in business class, 52 in premium economy and 371 in economy.