The company’s Executive Board has decided on the purchase of 40 Airbus A220-300s and 20 purchasing options, the purchase of 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 60 purchasing options, as well as purchasing options for 40 additional A320 family aircraft. The Supervisory Board has approved the acquisition today.
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The aircraft orders agreed today, worth around USD 9 billion at list prices, are not expected to have a significant impact on the Group’s capital expenditure in 2023 and 2024, the period covered by the current medium-term plan. Net investments of between EUR 2.5 billion and EUR 3 billion are expected in 2023. Capital expenditure in 2024 is expected to be at a similar level.
Airbus A220-300. This latest-generation aircraft has 148 seats and consumes around 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 passenger kilometers. The A220 is intended for use by the newly founded airline Lufthansa City Airlines and will be deployed on short-haul routes from Frankfurt and Munich. With its ultra-modern geared turbofan engines from Pratt & Whitney, the A220-300 is ideal for use in feeder traffic. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2026.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the further development and 4th generation of the world’s most widespread commercial aircraft. The aircraft will have 190 seats in Business and Economy Class and, thanks to its efficient engines from CFM International, will only consume around 2.2 liters per 100 passenger-kilometers. The first aircraft is expected in the third quarter of 2027. As the planned growth path for both Lufthansa Airlines, including Lufthansa City Airlines, and SWISS is already underpinned by aircraft orders, the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will be deployed in one of the Lufthansa Group’s other flight operations. The decision on this will be made at a later date.
In addition to the firm orders, Lufthansa Group has secured a further 40 purchase options for aircraft from the A320 family. Around 450 aircraft of this model series are currently in service with Lufthansa Group airlines, making it well-established in the short- and medium-haul segment. 71 A320neo and A321neo aircraft that have already been ordered will be delivered in the next few years. With the agreed 40 purchase options, Lufthansa Group is now securing favorable conditions for future orders as part of the Airbus offer.