Lufthansa says to boost Milan flights

FRANKFURT/MILAN, April 28 (Reuters) - Deutsche Lufthansa (LHAG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) plans to add flights from Milan to capitalise on demand from the region around the north Italian city.

Lufthansa will station six new Embraer 195 regional jets at Milan Malpensa airport from the start of next year offering flights to new European destinations, the carrier said in a statement on Monday.

The flights will be operated by subsidiary Air Dolomiti and will see the number of weekly services offered by Lufthansa at Malpensa almost double.

"Milan and the Lombardy region are among the strongest and most important regions in Europe and have a high passenger volume," Lufthansa said.

"In order to provide the infrastructure and ensure that the necessary conditions are in place for future operations at Milan Malpensa, Lufthansa has also signed a memorandum of understanding with SEA, the operator of Milan Airports."

Malpensa is being abandoned by loss-making domestic carrier Alitalia (AZPIa.MI: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) as a second hub in order to cut costs as the troubled airline searches for a partner to save it from bankruptcy. (Reporting by James Regan and Gilles Castonguay)