Europe’s largest airline group, Lufthansa, has announced significant fleet expansion plans with orders placed with both Airbus and Boeing. The Lufthansa Group’s Supervisory Board has given the green light for an additional 40 Airbus A220-300s and a landmark order for up to 100 Boeing 737 MAX jets.
Airbus A220 Order
Lufthansa Group’s longstanding partnership with Airbus continues to flourish with the recent firm order for 40 additional A220-300s.
Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing collaboration: “With today’s order for 40 additional Airbus A220s, we are continuing our unique partnership with Airbus.” The A220, in service since 2016 with SWISS, has proven itself as a modern, economical, and fuel-efficient aircraft.
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, commented on the significance of Lufthansa’s confidence in the A220: “The Lufthansa Group was one of the first customers for the A220, and we are delighted by this testimony of confidence from our long-standing partner and customer.”
Highlighting Lufthansa’s commitment to sustainability, the A220-300 offers a 25% lower fuel burn and CO2 emissions per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. It is designed for the 100-150 seat market and contributes to Lufthansa Group’s airline development and sustainability objectives.
Boeing 737 MAX Order
In a strategic move, Lufthansa Group is reintroducing the Boeing 737 family into its fleet with a landmark order for up to 100 737 MAX jets. The commitment includes a firm order for 40 737-8 airplanes with 60 options.
Carsten Spohr emphasized the significance of this decision: “It is a good strategic decision for the Lufthansa Group to order Boeing 737 aircraft again for the first time since 1995.”
Lufthansa, a co-developer and launch customer of the Boeing 737 in 1967, sees the new, modern, quiet, economical, and efficient 737-8 aircraft as crucial to modernizing its short- and medium-haul fleet while achieving carbon reduction targets.
Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, recognized the historic nature of this order: “Our relationship with the Lufthansa Group has led to a number of industry-changing achievements, and we are delighted to see the 737 return to an original launch customer’s fleet.”
The Boeing 737 MAX, known for its efficient design, reduces CO2 emissions by 20% and has a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to older generation airplanes. This aligns with Lufthansa Group’s ambitious goals to decarbonize its operations and achieve sustainability targets.
This dual order from Lufthansa Group underscores the airline’s commitment to a diverse and modernized fleet, aligning with the latest advancements in aviation technology and sustainability standards.
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