Lufthansa Celebrates Centennial with Specially Painted Airbus A380 at Munich Airport
Munich, March 1st – Munich Airport welcomed a unique visitor on Wednesday evening, February 25th: an Airbus A380 adorned in a special blue commemorative livery. This distinctive aircraft, the world’s largest passenger plane, now proudly displays an oversized crane logo, the years “1926 | 2026,” and the number “100” on its fuselage, all in celebration of Lufthansa’s upcoming 100th anniversary.
Extensive Repainting Process in Ireland
The colossal aircraft, operating under flight number LH9901, touched down on the runway of Munich Airport on Wednesday evening. Prior to its arrival, the plane underwent a comprehensive repainting process in Shannon, Ireland. According to a press release from the Lufthansa Group, a team of 35 employees meticulously worked on this elaborate task for precisely 34 days.
The stylized crane emblem on the fuselage spans an impressive 47 meters in length. In total, the painters applied paint to over 4,000 square meters of surface area, an expanse roughly equivalent to 16 tennis courts. The aircraft, registered as D-AIMH, is scheduled to commence regular scheduled flights starting in March, as confirmed by the Lufthansa Group.
Fourth Lufthansa Aircraft in Blue Anniversary Design
This specially painted A380 is the fourth aircraft in Lufthansa’s fleet to feature this unique anniversary design. Earlier this month, an Airbus A350-900 with the same livery also arrived in Munich. Additionally, a Boeing 787-9 and an Airbus A320neo, both based in Frankfurt, are already operating with the celebratory colors.
Another Airbus A320neo, adorned with the oversized crane motif, is expected to arrive at Munich Airport on Friday, February 27th, further expanding the anniversary fleet.
Seven Special Liveries Planned for Lufthansa’s Centennial
In the coming weeks, the Lufthansa Group anticipates adding a Boeing 747-8 and an Airbus A350-1000 to the special livery fleet. This will bring the total number of aircraft sporting the distinctive birthday design to seven. The airline states that these special paint jobs are being carried out either during scheduled repainting operations or directly during the delivery of new aircraft from the factory. This approach helps to minimize the additional costs associated with the anniversary fleet presentation.
The arrival of this specially painted Airbus A380 not only highlights Lufthansa’s rich history but also serves as a visual celebration of its enduring legacy in the aviation industry. Passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to witness these unique aircraft as they operate on various routes, marking a significant milestone for the German airline.
Source: Lufthansa Group, Merkur.de
