The Lufthansa Group‘s Board of Directors has decided to purchase several wide-body passengers and freighter aircraft. In view of the delay of the airline’s new flagship Boeing 777-9X, the German group has reached an agreement with the American manufacturer for discounts on this new order.
In addition, the leasing of two Boeing 777Fs, valid until 2024, has been extended; the Supervisory Board today approved the acquisition and extension of the lease.
Dreamliners compensate for the absence of the Boeing 777X
The German group has made the purchase of seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft on the market, in order to compensate for delays in the Boeing 777-9X program, the first delivery was planned for 2023 and the first unit is currently expected to be received in 2025.
Lufthansa will take delivery of the aircraft, which were destined for other airlines in 2025 and 2026. At the same time, some dates of the Dreamliner deliveries will be revised and will have the option to be brought forward between 2023 and 2024.
The German group prior to this purchase had an order for 25 Boeing 787s ordered between 2019 and 2021, now Lufthansa Group has an order for 32 Dreamliners, which will be distributed among the group’s airlines and will replace its older widebody aircraft.
Strengthening the Lufthansa Cargo fleet
Global cargo demand continues to grow steadily, and to meet the needs of the market, Lufthansa Group is purchasing three Boeing 777Fs, the company also expects to take delivery of a new freighter aircraft, which was reassigned by another airline, in the coming weeks, followed by two more units.
The German group’s cargo subsidiary currently has a fleet of 11 Boeing 777Fs, which have replaced the old MD-11s in their entirety.
Next-generation freighter
Lufthansa Group becomes one of the first customers on the Boeing 777-8F program for the latest-generation, efficient Boeing 777-8F. The American manufacturer’s new freighter is designed with 777X technology and the German group expects to take delivery of the first delivery in 2027.
“We continue to invest in more fuel-efficient, quieter and more economical aircraft that emit significantly less CO2. This allows us to drive the modernization of our fleet. By purchasing these state-of-the-art aircraft, we again underline the Lufthansa Group’s ability to invest in and shape the future,” said Carsten Spohr, CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
Once again, we are taking the initiative and expanding our leadership role, as well as taking responsibility for the environment, with premium products for our customers and a sustainable fleet,” added Spohr.
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Lufthansa Group continues in its plans to modernize its fleet of wide-body aircraft with more fuel-efficient and sustainable models in their class, with both the Dreamliners and 777 freighters consuming less than their predecessors and creating a positive impact on the carbon footprint.
The Group expects the cost-benefits associated with the fleet modernization to drive the achievement of its target of achieving an adjusted EBIT margin of at least 8% and a return on capital employed (adjusted ROCE) of at least 10% by 2024.
