• Tom Boon-169
    Lufthansa
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LH/DLH
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport
    Year Founded:
    1953
    Alliance:
    Star Alliance
    Airline Group:
    Lufthansa Group
    CEO:
    Carsten Spohr
    Country:
    Germany

As Airbus looks for replacements for Qatar Airways' canceled order for the A350-1000, Lufthansa has emerged as a potential customer. The German flag carrier is reportedly considering an expansion that would see it take deliveries of the largest A350 after two years of shrinking its widebody fleet.

A new customer

According to aero.de, Lufthansa is currently in talks with Airbus to take up delivery slots originally for Qatar Airways and Aeroflot. CEO Carsten Spohr has already said the German carrier would consider taking up Aeroflot's A350-900s to grow its own fleet.

However, the A350-1000 is one aircraft Lufthansa has not ordered yet. Airbus is now sitting on three of the jets that Qatar Airways refuses to take due to an ongoing legal dispute over surface degradation on the A350. With more cancelations likely, is this Lufthansa's time to pick up new planes?

Qatar Airways Airbus A350
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

While the talks are in early stages, this might prove to be a golden opportunity for the airline.

777X replacement?

While Lufthansa was initially happy about delays to the 777X delivery during the pandemic last year, news of deliveries going into 2025 (if that even happens) may be a lot for the airline.

With the A380 gone, and several 747s and A340s retired, the airline may need more long-haul capacity in the next few years. This is where the A350-1000 fits in perfectly in the current climate. If Lufthansa can secure delivery slots starting 2023, the deal will provide capacity and a white-tail discount.

Lufthansa Airbus A350 landing
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

However, this does not mean the 777X won't play a role in the fleet. The jet is set to become the long-haul flagship but with no firm date for certification or approval, using the A350 as a hedge is a smart decision for Lufthansa at this time.

Production rate will not rise

Over at Airbus, clinching a deal for undelivered A350s is a top priority. Due to sanctions, Aeroflot will not take 17 of its 24 ordered jets, leaving a big gap in the schedule for the European planemaker. Qatar Airways has also shown it is willing to ax deliveries, possibly leaving many planes without a customer.

This has forced Airbus to stick to its 'crisis' production rate of five monthly aircraft until the end of 2023 at least. This means a possible increase to six planes next spring has been shelved for now.

first-a350-900-aeroflot-msn383-with-letters-delivery-ceremony
The carrier had high hopes for its incoming Airbus A350 aircraft, which are now being delivered elsewhere. Photo: Aeroflot.

For now, all eyes will be on who will pick up Airbus' missing delivery slots over the next year or so.

Widebodies are back

The market landscape has shifted significantly in the last 12 months. While missing slots may have found no takers 18 months ago, Airbus is likely feeling better that it could sell off its planes to airlines desperately looking for a capacity ramp-up. Add some pilots and crew and it's a dream deal for carriers.

What do you think Lufthansa's potential A350-1000 deal? Let us know in the comments!

Source: aero.de