After the breakdowns on the government aircraft of Foreign Minister Baerbock, the Bundeswehr wants to phase out the two A340 aircraft early. In the future, the A350 aircraft will be used instead – “robust and modern aircraft”.
The Bundeswehr is drawing consequences from the breakdown of the government plane with which Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wanted to travel to Australia. The two A340 aircraft will be phased out early, according to an Air Force spokesman ARD Capital Studio confirmed. The “Spiegel” and the Funke media group had previously reported that the planned retirement would be brought forward.
“We will prematurely decommission the two A340s as soon as possible, that is, in the coming weeks,” said a spokesman. According to previous plans, the two Airbus A340s should be retired in September 2023 and at the end of 2024.
Instead, the existing, more modern A350 will be used for long-haul routes in the future. The are “robust and modern aircraft for long-haul”, two of which are ready for use, one is still in the industry to be equipped for the special requirements of government aircraft.
Cancellation of the Pacific voyage due to several mishaps
After repeated mishaps with her government plane, Baerbock had canceled the planned trip to a week-long visit to the Pacific region on Tuesday morning.
“We checked and planned to the last, but unfortunately it was no longer possible to logistically present the planned travel stations of the Indo-Pacific trip after the failure of the flight readiness aircraft with the options still available,” said a spokesman for the Federal Foreign Office. The Green politician was originally expected to visit Australia, New Zealand and the island republic of Fiji.
Baerbock has meanwhile started her return flight to Germany with a scheduled aircraft together with part of her delegation.
Replacement or abolition of readiness to fly?
The FDP defense politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann told the editorial network Germany (RND): “It’s just embarrassing that the foreign minister couldn’t continue her journey.” She called for the procurement of new machines for flight readiness.
On the other hand, the head housekeeper of the left-wing faction, Gesine Lötzsch, demanded their abolition and the switch to scheduled flights, as the “Spiegel” reports. “It’s time for the federal government to start a new era when it comes to its own exaggerated claims,” Lötzsch told the news magazine.
“The readiness to fly is expensive, unreliable and causes an oversized ecological footprint. So it won’t work to save the climate and the federal budget,” said the deputy parliamentary group leader.