LUFTHANSA IS considering using the Airbus cross-crew qualification (CCQ) concept to allow it to base A320s in Latin America to operate onward routes from its long-haul services.
The airline will begin using Airbus A340s to Caracas, Venezuela, during the next winter timetable, but expects very low load-factors on onward services from its first stop in that country.
If the economics are particularly poor, then the German flag carrier can use either the A340 crew, or, less desirably, locally based Lufthansa crews, to fly the next leg on the smaller A320.
The CCQ capability means, that Lufthansa A320 and A340 pilots, can be cross-qualified on the two types, with minimal additional training. Lufthansa A340 technical pilot, Burghart Reymann says that 32 instructors are already cross-qualified, overwhelmingly, from the A340 to the A320.
Reymann stresses that there is no concrete plan to proceed with the Latin American move, but Lufthansa is convinced that it could be done with little difficulty.
The German carrier operates Frankfurt-Caracas-Bogota with a Boeing 747, and also serves other cities from Caracas, such as La Paz and Quito, using locally wet-leased 727s under Lufthansa flight numbers.
The 727 links would remain, but new or additional services will be operated from Caracas to Lima, Quito and Bogota - where the A320 could be used.
Source: Flight International
