Lufthansa Group’s Discover Airlines Considers 787s or A350s for Fleet Renewal
Lufthansa Group is weighing options for Discover Airlines’ fleet renewal to boost its competitive edge against rival Condor. During a recent quarterly earnings call, CEO Carsten Spohr revealed that the group is evaluating the addition of new technology aircraft, specifically either Boeing 787s or Airbus A350s.
As part of a broader restructuring plan, Lufthansa Group aims to enhance Discover Airlines’ capabilities, focusing on increasing seasonal and leisure routes. Spohr emphasized that the group’s goal is to maximize the potential of Discover Airlines and the newly established Lufthansa City Airlines, particularly at the Munich transit hub. This move is part of a strategy to offer a more competitive cost basis for the leisure carrier.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Discover Airlines operates three A330-200s (average age 19.7 years) and ten A330-300s (average age 17.9 years). These aircraft were transferred from other Lufthansa Group units, including the now-defunct SunExpress Deutschland and various other subsidiaries. Additionally, Discover Airlines manages fourteen A320-200s.
Lufthansa has unfulfilled orders for twenty-eight A350-900s—five of which are designated for Swiss—and thirty-four Boeing 787-9s. Meanwhile, Edelweiss Air, another leisure-focused entity within the group, plans to replace its A340-300 fleet with six second-hand A350-900s.
Condor, Germany’s largest leisure carrier, is progressing with its fleet renewal, operating seventeen A330-900s with an additional six on the way. Despite their competitive stance, Lufthansa continues to support Condor passengers on domestic routes through a special prorate agreement. This deal, initially set to end in 2020, is now scheduled to conclude in October 2024 due to ongoing legal disputes.
This strategic decision reflects Lufthansa Group’s commitment to strengthening Discover Airlines’ position in the competitive leisure travel market while navigating the complexities of fleet modernization and industry rivalries.
Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Discover+Airlines
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com