It seems that Lufthansa has found an answer for its delayed new aircraft. And it’s called the Airbus A380, with the airline choosing to reactive the type into its fleet.
A sleeping giant at Frankfurt Airport – taken September 2020. Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
The move has been prompted by Lufthansa’s response to the steep rise in customer demand and the delayed delivery of ordered aircraft.
The airline expects to use the long-haul aircraft, which is popular with customers and crews, again from summer 2023.
Lufthansa had a fleet of 14 Airbus A380s delivered to them. At this time, the company is currently assessing how many A380s will be reactivated and which destinations the Airbus will fly to.
The 14 Airbus A380s, are currently parked in Spain and France for long-term so-called “deep storage”. Six of these aircraft have already been sold, eight A380s remain part of the Lufthansa fleet for the time being. From there, Lufthansa will decide which aircraft will be reactivated.
In Quotes
The Executive Board Members of Deutsche Lufthansa AG also announced the reactivation of the A380 in a joint letter to the company’s customers:
“In the summer of 2023, we not only expect to have a much more reliable air transport system worldwide. We will be welcoming you back on board our Airbus A380s, too. We decided today to put the A380, which continues to enjoy great popularity, back into service at Lufthansa in summer 2023. In addition to this, we are further strengthening and modernizing our fleets with some 50 new Airbus A350, Boeing 787 and Boeing 777-9 long-haul aircraft and more than 60 new Airbus A320/321s in the next three years alone.”
Delivering Capacity
No time for the sun to set on the Lufthansa A380 fleet – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
With the arrival of a certain long-haul aircraft still a good two years off (and that’s being generous), Lufthansa is seeing next year’s numbers and are working out the solutions – be it hire in a 777 fleet, or un-park some of its existing Airbus A380’s that have been enjoying the sun.
And it seems the capacity of the A380 has made a difference, with it able to carry 509 passengers across four classes aboard the type.
At Heathrow, it was amazing to see people glued to the glass whenever an Airbus A380 took off – the aircraft still inspires wonder. It’s up to airlines to capitalise on this wonder and turn it into seat sales.
Even in the age of expensive oil prices – which those four engines will enjoy.
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I still prefer the 747-8OO. As it’s a safer plane in an evacuation situation.
Who did Lufthansa sell six(6) of it’s A-380’s to?