Lufthansa Technik Fingers Over One other VIP Airbus A350 To The German Airforce

Lufthansa Technik has handed over the third Airbus A350 destined for the German Armed Forces following the becoming of its VIP inside in Hamburg, Germany. The plane joins one other of the identical sort already in service. A 3rd remains to be below conversion by the German firm, which focuses on plane upkeep, restore, overhaul, and modification companies.

A second plane transformed

Lufthansa Technik has introduced the supply of a second Airbus A350-900 to the German Armed Forces following the becoming out of its VIP inside on behalf of the German Authorities at its Hamburg facility.

The plane, assigned fleet markings 10+02 and named Theodor Heuss in honor of the primary president of the Federal Republic of Germany, will be part of one other related plane already in service, with a 3rd nonetheless present process conversion. The earlier plane to be delivered to the identical buyer was 10+01, named Konrad Adenauer, with 10+03 nonetheless to observe.

Later at the moment, this second plane can be ferried from Lufthansa Technik’s Hamburg base to Cologne-Wahn airport to be formally put into political-parliamentary flight service by the German Air Power. The aircraft takes up its place because the second of the three A350 plane that the German Airforce will function on behalf of the German Authorities by 2024.

Particulars of the brand new plane

This newest plane was initially delivered by Airbus factory-fresh on to Lufthansa Technik again in October 2021. Since then, the corporate’s Particular Plane Companies division has since refurbished it and put in a extremely custom-made VIP authorities inside.

Whereas reluctant to reveal too many particular particulars for apparent causes, the aircraft’s new inside is described by Lufthansa Technik as “assembly the best requirements of performance, connectivity, consolation, and privateness for these touring on the plane.”

The cabin is cut up into two major sections, with one being put aside for dignitaries flying on enterprise on behalf of the German Authorities, whereas the adjoining cabin is configured for accompanying delegates and different invited friends, outfitted with snug seating with ample seat pitch, numerous personal washrooms and a contemporary galley.

The aircraft, like sistership 10+01, already transformed, has been fitted with cutting-edge communications and radar expertise. The plane will seat round 120 folks and might fly ultra-long-haul missions.

Picture: Lufthansa Technik

Asserting the supply of Theodor Heuss to the German Authorities, Michael von Puttkamer, Vice President of Particular Plane Companies at Lufthansa Technik, mentioned,

“Solely final November, we handed over ‘Konrad Adenauer’ to the German Armed Forces, and now ‘Theodor Heuss’ already marks the second A350 with a full authorities cabin to go to our valued buyer. The biggest modernization program within the historical past of the German authorities fleet stays totally on schedule and on funds, and for this achievement, I want to categorical my honest because of our enormously competent and extremely motivated workers.”

A part of a modernization plan

Earlier than the arrival of the brand new A350s, German Goverment ministers and officers relied on a pair of growing old A340s, one in every of which was additionally christened Konrad Adenauer, whereas the opposite was named Theodor Heuss.

Nonetheless, these plane had been turning into more and more unreliable, which led to VIPs being delayed and even having to fly on industrial flights to make conferences up to now.

To switch the growing old quad jets, the German Authorities ordered a complete of three Airbus A350s. Whereas Airbus has already handed over all three to the German Goverment, solely two of the trio have to this point undergone the intensive inside outfitting required by Lufthansa Technik to make them match for goal to be used as VIP transports.

A 3rd plane will observe

With the supply of 10+02 full, there stays only one extra A350 to be configured by Lufthansa Technik earlier than it’s re-delivered to the German Goverment.

Picture: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock

The third plane, 10+03, named Kurt Schumacher, was initially delivered to the client in early 2020. It was initially operated in an interim configuration and structure as a consequence of it turning into accessible sooner than anticipated till it was ferried to Lufthansa Technik’s Hamburg facility earlier this 12 months for related inside work to be carried out as the opposite two plane.

This third and ultimate plane can also be receiving the complete VIP authorities cabin, which can full the German Air Power’s A350 fleet upon its re-delivery to the German Authorities by 2024.