Earlier today, Lufthansa Technik handed over the first complete Airbus A350 to the German Armed Forces for use as a VIP transport aircraft. Named Konrad Adenauer, after the former chancellor of Germany, the aircraft is an A350-900 and the first of three to be outfitted for the government.

The christening ceremony was attended by the grandson of Germany’s first Federal Chancellor, Konrad Paul Karl Adenauer, as well as various other dignitaries and executives from the armed forces, from Lufthansa Technik and more.

german government a350
Photo: Lufthansa Technik

Soeren Stark, CEO of Lufthansa Technik, was also at the ceremony, and commented on the handover, stating,

"The aircraft christened today is not the first Airbus A350 handed over by us to the German Armed Forces, yet it bears all the insignia of a new flagship with the registration number 10+01 and the history-steeped name Konrad Adenauer.

“This great honor is also reflected in the new government cabin we installed, which sets new standards with state-of-the-art technology and high functionality as well as cost efficiency."

Lufthansa technik hands over the first A350 fully fitted out
Photo: Lufthansa Technik

What’s on the A350?

The new Konrad Adenauer has been meticulously worked on by Lufthansa Technik for well over a year. The cabin has been divided into various functional areas for political-parliamentary operations, and has separate spaces to allow for private meetings, roundtables and other activities.

The rest of the space in the aircraft has been given over to the delegations that typically travel with the VIPs. These areas have generous seating arrangements, bathrooms and modern galley equipment.

German government A350
Photo: Lufthansa Technik

But it’s not just the inside that’s had a makeover. Eagle-eyed readers will already have spotted the subtle changes to the aircraft’s livery, with new lettering in the ‘Bundes Sans’ font, as well as black, red and gold wingtips, reflecting Germany’s national colors.

German government a350
Photo: Lufthansa Technik

As well as the visible alterations, the jet will have been fitted with cutting edge communications and radar technology. It may well have defensive systems on board too, but that’s the sort of thing governments like to keep tightly under wraps. All in, the aircraft will seat around 120 people and be capable of flying incredible ranges – something the Luftwaffe proved in 2020 when they took 10+03 on a nonstop trip from Cologne to Canberra.

german government a350
The closeness of the engine to the wing is the main reason why reverse thrust deployment inflight could lead to a disaster. Photo: Lufthansa Technik

Three A350s will fly for Germany

The first A350-900 was delivered to the German Air Force in August 2020 and entered service for the nation in January 2021. However, this aircraft, registered 10+03 and named Kurt Schumacher, has not been fully fitted out for its VIP duties. Instead, it was rushed through with a temporary outfitting in order to provide more efficient and reliable transport for senior members of government.

Previously, the likes of Angela Merkel relied on a pair of aging A340s, one of which is also christened Konrad Adenauer, and the other being named Theodor Heuss. But these older aircraft frequently ‘went tech’, and saw VIPs being delayed or even having to fly commercial in order to make their meetings.

german government a350
Photo: Lufthansa Technik

To replace the quadjets, the German Government ordered a total of three Airbus A350s, all of which have now been handed over. But the acceptance of the jets is just the first stage, with extensive interior outfitting required by Lufthansa Technik to make them fit for purpose.

As such, 10+01 has been completed, and 10+02 – Theodor Heuss - will be next. The last A350 to be worked on is 10+03, the jet that has already been flying for Germany with a stop-gap interior. The new Konrad Adenauer took from April 2021 to September 2022 to configure, so it will likely be into 2023 before Theodor Heuss is ready to fly.

german government a350
Photo: Lufthansa Technik

However, Lufthansa Technik says it is already well underway, and that the full cabin modification is at an ’advanced stage’. The final A350, 10+03, will soon arrive in Hamburg to begin the process of installing the full governmental cabin.