Lufthansa to begin phasing out 737 Classics next year
Wednesday June 18, 2008 Lufthansa will begin phasing out its 60-strong 737-300/-500 fleet by next year, with the -500s leaving by the end of 2009 and the remaining aircraft being retired by 2012, depending on market developments.
LH owns 80% of its fleet. Nico Buchholz, who as senior VP-corporate fleet is responsible for 520 aircraft (plus those operating for partner airlines like Contact Air), told ATWOnline in Frankfurt that LH is selling an average of one aircraft per month. "But the number of new aircraft we are bringing into the fleet is higher," he said, adding that LH has up to 180 on order worth approximately €14 billion ($21.6 billion).
Some incoming aircraft are replacements. A320s will replace the 737s and 747-8s will replace 747-400s, for example, although Executive VP-Operations Juergen Raps told this website that "If market development is good, then we will keep the -400s longer." Some of the 60 A320s on order will be transferred to Swiss International Air Lines to grow its fleet, with the remainder slated for mainline service.
Buchholz expressed confidence that the 747-8 will be successful. "We need a 400-seat aircraft in the future," he said, claiming that engine commonality with the 787 will secure the aircraft's place in the mainline fleet. "The A350-1000 or 787-10 will not have the performance we need," he said.
He added that in terms of regional aircraft, he and his team will look at Bombardier's CSeries as well as to emerging products in China, Russia and Japan.
Meanwhile, four LH pilots have secured their A380 certifications. "We have to train 30 check captains for the A380. The pilots come from the A330/A340 fleet. Also, a small team will work as so-called mixed fleet pilots and fly both types," Raps explained, adding that LH needs 30 pilots for each A380. It is scheduled to take its first aircraft in the 2009 fourth quarter and operate 15 of the type by 2015.
Wednesday June 18, 2008 Lufthansa will begin phasing out its 60-strong 737-300/-500 fleet by next year, with the -500s leaving by the end of 2009 and the remaining aircraft being retired by 2012, depending on market developments.
LH owns 80% of its fleet. Nico Buchholz, who as senior VP-corporate fleet is responsible for 520 aircraft (plus those operating for partner airlines like Contact Air), told ATWOnline in Frankfurt that LH is selling an average of one aircraft per month. "But the number of new aircraft we are bringing into the fleet is higher," he said, adding that LH has up to 180 on order worth approximately €14 billion ($21.6 billion).
Some incoming aircraft are replacements. A320s will replace the 737s and 747-8s will replace 747-400s, for example, although Executive VP-Operations Juergen Raps told this website that "If market development is good, then we will keep the -400s longer." Some of the 60 A320s on order will be transferred to Swiss International Air Lines to grow its fleet, with the remainder slated for mainline service.
Buchholz expressed confidence that the 747-8 will be successful. "We need a 400-seat aircraft in the future," he said, claiming that engine commonality with the 787 will secure the aircraft's place in the mainline fleet. "The A350-1000 or 787-10 will not have the performance we need," he said.
He added that in terms of regional aircraft, he and his team will look at Bombardier's CSeries as well as to emerging products in China, Russia and Japan.
Meanwhile, four LH pilots have secured their A380 certifications. "We have to train 30 check captains for the A380. The pilots come from the A330/A340 fleet. Also, a small team will work as so-called mixed fleet pilots and fly both types," Raps explained, adding that LH needs 30 pilots for each A380. It is scheduled to take its first aircraft in the 2009 fourth quarter and operate 15 of the type by 2015.
giusto 2 mesi fa avevo volato per la prima volta con un -300 di LH ed aveva i sedili nuovi, non fosse stato per le cappelliere "classic" non gli avrei mai dato i quasi 20 anni che dovrebbe avere...