German Airline Splits Order For Fleet Modernization Program
Lufthansa has announced an aggressive modernization plan for its long-haul fleet with an order split between Boeing and Airbus.
The airline reportedly has agreed to purchase 59 "ultra-modern" aircraft following a recommendation by the Deutsche Lufthansa AG Executive Board headed by Dr. Christoph Franz held Wednesday. 34 Boeing 777-9Xs and 25 Airbus A350-900s will be added to the Lufthansa Group's wide-body fleet. The first of these new aircraft will be delivered as early as 2016. Older Boeing 747-400s and Airbus A340-300s will be phased out by 2025. The new airplanes will primarily serve to replace existing aircraft at Lufthansa.
The investment amount for the Lufthansa Group's latest order totals nearly $19 billion at list prices and is the largest single private-sector investment in the history of German industry. "This investment will safeguard about 13,000 jobs at Lufthansa alone as well as thousands of jobs at our partners in aviation and other suppliers", said Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of the Lufthansa Group, explaining the macroeconomic significance of the investment at a press conference in Frankfurt.
This investment in new technology, efficiency and customer comfort is a continuation of the ongoing fleet modernization that is taking place at the Group's airlines. Lufthansa operates a wide-body fleet of around 107 aircraft, among them ten ultra-modern Airbus A380s and nine Boeing 747-8s as well as the Airbus A330-300 (18 aircraft). The fleet also includes Airbus A340s (48) and Boeing 747-400s (22). In addition to these, the Group subsidiary Swiss has 31 wide-body airplanes, while Austrian Airlines' wide-body fleet consists of 12 aircraft.
The aim is to reduce the number of different models and fleet complexity in the Passenger Airline Group segment and also replace existing aircraft with state-of-the-art airplanes. In March, the Group approved the purchase of around 100 short and medium-haul aircraft. This order included six new Boeing 777-300ERs for Swiss, which are also intended to replace older Airbus A340-300s at the airline.
"Less fuel consumption, less CO2 emissions and less noise: The aircraft on order will enable us to make a quantum leap in efficiency and to enter the 2-litre class", commented Franz. No other aircraft type will fly as economically as the A350-900 and the Boeing 777-9X in terms of jet ffuel consumption per passenger and 100 kilometers flown. This order underscores the company's desire to invest in the latest technology to help the environment. The 59 new aircraft will consume an average of just 2.9 liters of jet fuel per passenger and 100 kilometers flown. That is around 25 per cent less than aircraft available today and it will have a positive impact on the Group’s carbon footprint. Unit costs will sink by approximately 20 per cent compared with predecessor models.
The new aircraft will be operated by ultra-modern, powerful, low-noise engines – the Airbus A350 by the Rolls-Royce 'Trent XWB 84' engine and the Boeing 777-9X by General Electric's 'GE-9X' model. The noise footprint of the new models will be at least 30 per cent lower than today's aircraft.
"We are focused on developing and delivering a superior airplane that ensures the 777 remains the unequivocal long-haul leader," said John Wojick, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With its new engines and an all-new composite wing design, the 777X will be the largest and most-efficient twin engine jet in the world with 20 percent lower fuel consumption and 15 percent lower operating costs than today's 777. Boeing is delighted that Lufthansa is continuing its longstanding partnership with Boeing by selecting the 777X for its future fleet development."
"Boeing and Lufthansa share more than 50 years of partnership and innovation and a tradition of launching new airplane models – starting with the original 737s and most recently, the efficient 747-8 Intercontinental," said Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President and Head of Fleet, Lufthansa. "Lufthansa is demonstrating its legacy of innovation and market leadership again with its selection of the 777X. We look forward to many years of partnership with Boeing, as we make air travel more efficient, comfortable and environmentally sustainable with airplanes such as the 777X."
’The A350 XWB suits Lufthansa’s entire network regarding size and range, and will be key to modernizing our fleet while significantly reducing operational costs and our environmental footprint,” said Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “These quiet and fuel-efficient aircraft will fit nicely into our existing Airbus fleet, and our passengers will be able to enjoy seamless service and comfort levels throughout our entire product range.”
“We are honored that such a long-standing and prestigious customer as Lufthansa is coming back for more Airbus aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The all-new A350 XWBs, will integrate very well into the Group’s existing Airbus fleet. From the A319 to the A380 size category, Lufthansa will benefit from latest technologies and efficiency levels, an unmatched wider cabin, operational flexibility and cost-savings – enhanced by the unique fleet commonality only Airbus offers.”
(Artist's rendering of Lufthansa A350 XWB)
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