Airline's Orders Range From A380s To E195s

Lufthansa’s Supervisory Board has approved the purchase of additional Airbus and Embraer aircraft as part of a fleet modernization program. The aircraft comprise two A380s, four A320s and one A330-300, as well as five Embraer E195 Regional jets.

Image Courtesy Airbus

Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President Lufthansa Group Fleet Management said: "I am delighted that this additional order will enable us to secure the development of our short, medium and long-haul fleets. It is the next logical step in our strategy of ongoing fleet modernisation with regard to fuel efficiency, operating costs, noise and emissions."
 
“We are pleased that Lufthansa is coming back to order more Airbus aircraft across our product families,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. He adds: “In particular, the order for two additional A380s is a testimony to the outstanding performance, efficiency and passenger appeal which the type has already proven in service with the airline.”

The Embraer aircraft will be operated by Verona-based Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa's regional partner in Italy. The value of the acquisition, at list price, is $226 million. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012.

Embraer E195 File Photo

Air Dolomiti currently operates five E195s. The additional aircraft will see Air Dolomiti's E-Jets fleet double. In response to the growing demand within Europe, the new equipment will be used to add flights on domestic routes and increase frequencies between Verona and Lufthansa's Munich hub. The E195s will be configured with the new Slim Seat Plus, an ergonomically designed seat that is comfortable, yet weighs less, to help reduce fuel consumption.

"Lufthansa's follow-on order demonstrates the proven ability of the E195 to operate in the highly competitive European market," said Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, President, Embraer Commercial Aviation. "The doubling of Air Dolomiti's E-Jets fleet is an endorsement of the airline's confidence in the aircraft's compatibility with the carrier's expanding network."

With this new order, Lufthansa will be the operator of the largest fleet of E-Jets in Europe. The company has ordered 43 E190s and E195s since May 2007. Today, 28 E-Jets are in service with three of Lufthansa's five regional partner carriers: Lufthansa CityLine, Air Dolomiti and Augsburg Airways.

FMI: www.airbus.com. www.embraer.com