Ultimately, it was the mishaps in Abu Dhabi that decided the fate of the Konrad Adenauer have sealed. Last August, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tried in vain to use the Airbus A340 to fly to Australia. After the stopover in Abu Dhabi, the landing flaps could no longer be retracted. The Air Force then decided to retire it. And now it’s clear he’ll only fly once more.
Lufthansa’s maintenance subsidiary Lufthansa Technik has now bought the broken-down plane, reportedly for a single-digit million sum. The long-haul jet will not make its last trip to Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, but to Teruel in Spain. This is a remote airport in Andalusia, often used as a long-term parking lot for machines that are not needed in times of crisis. In Teruel, manufacturer Airbus also dismantles jets that are not needed. And that’s exactly what happens with it Konrad Adenauer.
The aircraft came full circle and was delivered from Airbus to Lufthansa in 1999 with the registration D-AIGR. She used these on long-haul routes until 2011, when she sold them to the Air Force. After an extensive renovation – among other things, Lufthansa Technik installed a VIP interior – it then flew around the world for 13 years with Chancellor Angela Merkel, her successor Olaf Scholz and ministers like Annalena Baerbock. There were repeated breakdowns, and the Air Force has now ordered more modern machines of this type A350.
A former government pilot once appeared in Iran
Lufthansa Technik will now sell the parts of the aircraft that are still usable. “Of course, we also want to prevent the aircraft from flying in the future under an identification that is not appropriate to its history as a German government aircraft,” the company said. What you need to know is that it was previously used by the Air Force A310 later appeared in Iran despite sanctions via various detours.
This is the new aircraft that members of the federal government are traveling with, an “A350”.
(Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa)
A few components are extremely popular, especially the engines, which are likely to have a very long remaining service life for a machine that is used relatively little compared to airline operations. Lufthansa itself is one of the few airlines in the world that A340 still used in passenger operations. However, Lufthansa Technik does not confirm who the engines will go to. According to the company, it is still completely unclear what will happen to the cabin; marketing is currently considering how the parts could be appropriately monetized.
Perhaps the most spectacular reuse opportunity could be waiting for the hull itself. The French first division soccer team Racing Strasbourg is expanding its stadium. Among other things, a kind of atrium is to be created as part of the new south stand, where bars and lounges await fans. The Populous architectural firm wants fuselage parts from 30 Airbus A340 use – as sun protection for the spectators. Maybe it will help with future flights of fancy: Racing is currently only thirteenth in Ligue 1.