Lufthansa is poised to launch a major fleet renewal effort in 2006 with the aim of selecting replacements for its Airbus A340-300s and Boeing 737-300s.
The German flag-carrier is also evaluating the recently launched 747-8 as a possible replacement for its 747-400 fleet.
Lufthansa chairman and chief executive Wolfgang Mayrhuber told Flight International at a Star Alliance chief executives’ gathering in Montreal last week that during 2006 the airline “will look at some decision process for our long-term fleet plans – we will look at long-term replacements for our A340-300 and 737-300 fleets”.
The widebody evaluation is likely to include the A350 and 787 – two types for which the Star Alliance members have been working to define a common specification standard. “We are part of this team and would adopt a common specification,” says Mayrhuber.
Despite having a 15 A380s on order, Mayrhuber says Lufthansa could also find a role for the 747-8. Lufthansa is a major operator of the 747, with 30 -400s in service.
“We have several scenarios. There could be one with the 747-8 and one without…we have to consider it seriously,” says Mayrhuber, who adds that the airline could be in a position to place orders in 2006.
If the 747-8 route is not chosen, an alternative would be to make up the capacity by adding more large widebodies, such as A340-600s or 777-300ERs, and more A380s.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / MONTREAL
Source: Flight International
