Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
Lufthansa is drawing up plans to wet-lease a Boeing 757-300 from sister airline Condor to establish whether the single-aisle 252-seater can be turned around in 45min between flights on its domestic feeder network.
The trial forms part of the German flag-carrier's hunt for a suitable replacement for the 270-seat Airbus A300-600s it uses on high density routes feeding its main hubs at Frankfurt and Munich. Lufthansa confirms it is negotiating to lease a Condor 757-300 for a four-week period in November for evaluation.
"We want to check whether an aircraft of this size could be of use within our feeder system," says the carrier. "But right now there is no aircraft type that fits as well as the A300-600,"it adds.
Airline sources say Lufthansa does not view the proposed A330-500 shrink as a viable option because the aircraft is too heavy and has too large a wingspan for shorthaul operations. Earlier this year Airbus dropped plans to equip the -500 with a modified A300-600 wing in favour of retaining the larger A330-200/300 wing, to boost long-range performance and reduce development costs.
Though the 757-300 can accommodate nearly as many passengers as the A300-600, Lufthansa says "one of the key questions" is whether its narrowbody design will allow tight turnaround times to be maintained. Condor, which operates its 13 757-300s in a charter configuration, has consistently managed to achieve turnaround times of under 1h - contrary to the manufacturer's initial predictions. Boeing believes that in a scheduled domestic environment "the aircraft can be turned around within 45min".
Condor says some issues relating to the wet-lease have yet to be resolved, including Lufthansa's requirement for a moveable divider between business and economy classes. "We have inflight monitors in the cabin so there is still a problem with the moveable divider," says Condor.
Sales of the 757-300 have been disappointing. Israel's Arkia operates two aircraft, while Icelandair and the UK's JMC Airlines have ordered a pair each. The only other customer is American Trans Air, which recently ordered 10.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa has revealed an interim plan to boost its A300-600 fleet with the acquisition of a single used example from Emirates.
• Lufthansa says it could take a decision on whether to place an order for the A3XX or 747X as early as the first quarter of next year. The carrier is studying passenger and freighter versions.
Source: Flight International
