Airline's Orders Range From A380s To E195s
Lufthansa’s Supervisory Board has approved the purchase of
additional Airbus and Embraer aircraft as part of a fleet
modernization program. The aircraft comprise two A380s, four A320s
and one A330-300, as well as five Embraer E195 Regional jets.
Image Courtesy Airbus
Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President Lufthansa Group Fleet
Management said: "I am delighted that this additional order will
enable us to secure the development of our short, medium and
long-haul fleets. It is the next logical step in our strategy of
ongoing fleet modernisation with regard to fuel efficiency,
operating costs, noise and emissions."
“We are pleased that Lufthansa is coming back to order more
Airbus aircraft across our product families,” said John
Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. He adds: “In
particular, the order for two additional A380s is a testimony to
the outstanding performance, efficiency and passenger appeal which
the type has already proven in service with the airline.”
The Embraer aircraft will be operated by Verona-based Air
Dolomiti, Lufthansa's regional partner in Italy. The value of the
acquisition, at list price, is $226 million. Deliveries are
scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012.
Embraer E195 File Photo
Air Dolomiti currently operates five E195s. The additional
aircraft will see Air Dolomiti's E-Jets fleet double. In response
to the growing demand within Europe, the new equipment will be used
to add flights on domestic routes and increase frequencies between
Verona and Lufthansa's Munich hub. The E195s will be configured
with the new Slim Seat Plus, an ergonomically designed seat that is
comfortable, yet weighs less, to help reduce fuel consumption.
"Lufthansa's follow-on order demonstrates the proven ability of
the E195 to operate in the highly competitive European market,"
said Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, President, Embraer Commercial
Aviation. "The doubling of Air Dolomiti's E-Jets fleet is an
endorsement of the airline's confidence in the aircraft's
compatibility with the carrier's expanding network."
With this new order, Lufthansa will be the operator of the
largest fleet of E-Jets in Europe. The company has ordered 43 E190s
and E195s since May 2007. Today, 28 E-Jets are in service with
three of Lufthansa's five regional partner carriers: Lufthansa
CityLine, Air Dolomiti and Augsburg Airways.