by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 10, 2012 | Uncategorized |
Thanks to my friends at Lufthansa, I have been able to put together a chronicle of the history of this great airline. As a result, I will post a piece of Lufthansa history any time that it celebrates an anniversary….
Today’s anniversary goes WAY WAY WAY back to 1919.
On February 10, 1919 Deutsche Luft-Reederei carried it’s first passenger from Johanistal Airfield in Berlin to Weimar marking the beginning of civilian airline operations in Germany. Soon afterwards in March of 1919, service from Berlin would expand to Leipzig, Hamburg, Warnemünde and in April, Gelsenkirchen.
Up until this point, Zeppelins were the primary source of air transport in Germany. Deutsche Luft-Reederei would be the first company in Germany that would operate commercial flights with “Heavier Than Air” aircraft.
The initial fleet:
A.E.G. J II Biplane
The L.V.G. C V Biplane
A brief background on Deutsche Luft-Reederei(DLR):
DLR was founded on December 13, 1917 and was authorized by the German Air Ministry to begin civilian airline operations in January 1919. DLR’s first flights began on January 8, 1919 but only for newspaper and mail delivery flights between Berlin and Weimar, Germany.
Deutsche Luft-Reederei was also a founding member of the International Air Traffic Association (IATA) which is the predecessor to today’s International Air Transport Association(IATA) which was inaugurated in Havana, Cuba in April of 1945.
In essence, we can look at DLR as being the grandparent of today’s Lufthansa.
What may be the most important aspect of DLR as it relates to the Lufthansa that we know and love today, is the fact that the famous crane logo was born with DLR. Created by Otto Firle, this symbol would persevere through trial and tribulation in the coming years and decades, and has changed little in nearly 100 years.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 9, 2012 | Airlines |
Minor changes for Kenya Airways, China Southern, China Airlines and Korean Air…
Kenya Airways:
Nairobi-Dzaoudzi-Moroni effective in June 2012 will increase from 3x/week to 4x/week. Effective in July, this route will increase to 5x/week.
China Southern:
Shenyang–Fukuoka effective March 25 will increase from 2x/week to 3x/week.
Shenyang–Nagoya effective March 25 will increase from 2x/week to 3x/week.
China Airlines:
Kaohsiung–Nagoya effective March 25, 2x/week service is canceled.
Korean Air:
Seoul-Vienna-Zurich: Sadly, on July 1 the 747-400 is being replaced by a 777-200 on this route. No more 747’s at VIE.
Seoul–Chiang Mai effective March 25 increases from 2x/week to 1x/day.
Seoul-Denpasar effective March 25 reduces from 11x/week to 9x/week.
Seoul-Manila effective between April 2 and May 19 increases from 14x/week to 18x/week.
Seoul-Tashkent effective June 26 reduces from 3x/week to 2x/week.
Seoul-Tashkent-Cairo effective March 25 is canceled.
Busan-Qingdao effective March 25 increases from 6x/week to 1x/day.
Previous 3 Skyteam Route Updates: ONE TWO THREE
by Lufthansa Flyer | Feb 9, 2012 | Industry News |
In news that was developing throughout the day on Wednesday and made public by Reuters Wednesday night, it appears that creditors are suggesting to AMR to seriously consider merger options.
The creditors, which includes Banks, Bondholders, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp (A quasi-US Government Agency charged with insuring private sector pension plans) and even LABOR UNIONS are asking AMR (American Airlines’ Parent) to seriously consider exploring merger options after reviewing the airline’s initial plans to function as an entity after clearing bankruptcy.
Obviously, creditors want every possible opportunity to recover their investments when a company files for bankruptcy protection, so this should come as no surprise. A merger would likely be the best case scenario for creditors because they would then receive in some form or fashion, equity or debt in the acquiring company versus settling for pennies on the dollar, or LOSING EVERYTHING, as a result of the bankruptcy process.
According to the Reuters article, no one is commenting on this recent development, but the idea of a merger is gaining popularity with Creditors, and I AM POSITIVE we will hear more about this in the coming days and weeks.
Ever since AMR filed for bankruptcy protection, Delta and US Air have both been mentioned as potential suitors. Both airlines have gone as far as retaining advisors to solicit their opinions on the merits of acquiring American Airlines.
I have covered this topic in previous posts, and if you’d like to catch up on it, you can read about it here:
US Airways Getting Serious About Bidding For American…..
Delta and US Airways Among Potential Suitors For American…..
American Eagle Pilots And Flight Attendants Among First Potential Casualties….
American Airlines Files For Bankruptcy Protection….
