Lufthansa Group, the parent company of German airline Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA), has eyes on along-haul fleet modernization amid the ongoing pandemic. While aiming to achieve maximum efficiency, the company decided to purchase a total of 10 long-haul aircraft, including 5 Airbus A350-900s and 5 Boeing B787-9s, which will join the Group subsidiary Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) fleet.
Lufthansa Group Supervisory Board gave the green light to purchase 10 new aircraft as part of a long-haul fleet renewal plan under which the group aims to lessen its carbon footprint and kerosene consumption. Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) counted that the new jets would cut kerosene consumption rates by 30% as well as have “an equally positive impact on the Group‘s carbon footprint”, as written in the company‘s statement.
The first newly ordered Boeing 787-9 aircraft is scheduled to start operating Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) flights as early as winter season 2022 with others to follow in the first half of 2022, since the group managed to set an agreement with Boeing to buy five already manufactured jets.
Meanwhile, 5 Airbus A350-900s are scheduled to join the Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) fleet in 2027 and 2028. According to the Airbus order list, the recent order of European manufacturer jets brings the total number of firm orders for the type to 45 planes. While aiming to reduce operating costs by 15% by adding new fuel-efficient aircraft, Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) plans that the ten new aircraft will replace its Airbus A340 fleet, currently consisting of 17 jets of the type.
As a part of the long-standing fleet renewal program, Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) also provided an update on the changes of its short-haul fleet. The airline expects to take delivery of 107 Airbus A320 Family aircraft by 2027.
“Even in these challenging times, we are continuing to invest in a more modern, more efficient, and a lower emission Lufthansa Group fleet. At the same time, we are pushing ahead with the modernization of our long-haul fleet even faster than planned prior to the coronavirus pandemic due to anti-cyclical opportunities,“ Carsten Spohr, the CEO of Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA), was quoted saying in the group statement.