Lufthansa’s “BALANCE 2013” Report Highlights

by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 8, 2013 | Airlines | 0 comments

Each June,  Lufthansa releases a report called “Balance” which summarizes a variety of accomplishments realized by the airline for the previous calendar year.  It’s akin to an annual report, but without the detailed financial data that typically is found in an annual report.  “Balance” also provides an annual update on Lufthansa Group’s fleet, social and environmental initiatives as well as demographic information regarding Lufthansa’s corporate structure.

For the purposes of this post, I’ll focus on a few key Lufthansa accomplishments as far as their environmental initiatives are concerned.   To learn more about other accomplishments, you can read about them in the Balance Report.   It’s actually a very good read, with great information, charts, graphics and photos.

Environmental Stewardship Initiatives/Accomplishments:

• Lufthansa set a new fuel consumption record.   For 2012 Lufthansa burned only 4.06 liters (1.07 gallons) to fly one passenger 100km (62 miles), making air travel more efficient than most hybrid automobiles.  This is a 3% improvement over 2011’s performance while carrying .2 percent more passengers in 2012.

• Between now and 2025, Lufthansa will invest €22 billion in fleet renewal, taking delivery of 236 new aircraft.

• Testing is underway to eliminate the need for aircraft to taxi to or from the runway under it’s own engine power.   Expect in the not too distant future for aircraft to be taxied to and from the runway with electric powered tugs or electric drive motors on the aircraft.   The objective is to further increase fuel efficiency as well as to reduce ‘airport noise’.

• In December of 2012, A test was conducted to determine how much weight an A340-300 could lose by simply removing unnecessary items from the aircraft (excess magazines, blankets, hangars, trolleys, etc).   The exercise was carried out by several Lufthansa employees who boarded the A340 and started removing excess items from the aircraft.    This activity demonstrated that by reducing an aircraft’s weight by only 100 kilograms but removing ‘extra stuff’ from each aircraft in the fleet, Lufthansa would save €2.6 million in fuel costs annually.   Hard to fathom, but the numbers don’t lie.

• On January 12, 2012 Lufthansa marked the completion of exhaustive testing and research into the use of bio-fuels when a 747 used a blend of bio-fuel on a flight from Frankfurt to Washington DC.

• On May 8, 2012 Lufthansa received the Gold-Eco award from Airline Transport World magazine for its accomplishments and commitment to environmental issues.

The list doesn’t end there.   2012 had a slew of accomplishments and the launch of many new endeavors.    As I said earlier, take a few minutes to browse the “Balance 2013” report.   What the Lufthansa Group accomplished in  a year is impressive.

Lufthansa Provides Insight Into Future Of Long Haul Fleet

by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 3, 2013 | Airlines | 0 comments

During an IATA gathering in Cape Town, South Africa, Lufthansa Chief Christoph Franz discussed the 10-15 +year vision of the 747-400 and 747-8i fleet and their potential replacement.

In an article published in Aviation Week by Jens Flottau,  Herr Franz states that he feels that Lufthansa can gain substantial savings and economies of scale by focusing their long haul fleet on twin engine aircraft, primarily Boeing’s 777 and Airbus’ new A350 (which could make a surprise appearance in Paris for the Air Show).

Emotionally, I don’t like this path, since I have been a fan of the 747 model since I was knee-high to a grass hopper and was hoping that a 747-9i would come to the rescue of the breed.

However, from a business perspective, it makes all the sense in the world.  Boeing’s latest planned iterations of the 777, the 777-8 and 777-9, will have almost the same capacity as a 747-8i but due to it being a twin engine airframe, will be substantially more economical to operate.   Airbus’ A350 will be another key factor (and perhaps a bigger piece of the solution) in Lufthansa’s decision and Boeing’s 787-Dreamliner can’t be ruled out of the equation as asuitable alternative.

According to the ATW article, it looks as though LH is well into planning this next phase of fleet modernization and we could see an announcement from Lufthansa in the near future.    They are already expected to announce a large order for long haul aircraft fairly soon and some of this strategy may be played out in that announcement.

For now though, it looks like the 747-8i will be gainfully employed for at least the next 10-15 years…….

The 747-8i has job security for at least the next 10-15 years…….

Lufthansa Aircraft Operations Update For Winter 2013/14 Timetable

by Lufthansa Flyer | Jun 3, 2013 | Airlines | 0 comments

Lufthansa recently provided an update to  it’s planned aircraft operations for long haul service for the Winter 2013/14 timetable.   This is a normal event where an airline will swap out different aircraft types due to seasonal demand, as well as to take care of maintenance and cabin upgrades.   This is an initial list that has been provided by LH.  I suspect additional updates to come over the next few months.

ROUTE:

Frankfurt-Abu Dhabi-Muscat beginning on December 4 will be flown by an Airbus A330-300 (replacing an A340-300).

Frankfurt-Bangalore beginning December 1 will be flown by a Boeing 747-400 (replacing the 747-8i).

Frankfurt-Beijing beginning December 1 will be flown by a Boeing 747-8i (replacing the A380).

Frankfurt-Doha-Bahrain beginning December 29 will be flown by an A330-300 (replacing an A340-300)

Frankfurt-Johannesburg resumes A380 service on October 27.

Frankfurt-Shanghai beginning October 27 will see the A380 daily except Monday and Wednesday.  Mondays and Wednesdays will see the 747-400.

Frankfurt-Tokyo (NRT) beginning October 27 will be flown by a 747-400 (replacing an A380).