Preparations are being made at Lufthansa Technik’s facility in Hamburg, Germany, ahead of a landmark cabin conversion – the first head-of-state ACJ350. The aircraft is expected to arrive at the facility in April 2020.
To ensure that the operator – the German federal government’s Special Air Mission Wing – can receive the aircraft as soon as possible, it will be equipped with a special transitional cabin for the transportation of delegations.
The transitional cabin will be tailored precisely to the customer’s requirements. The aircraft will have an office area and spacious conference area, adjoined by a multifunctional lounge. The rest of the cabin will be available to the accompanying delegations. It will be equipped with modern seats, a “generous” number of washrooms and a kitchen designed to cater for up to 150 people.
“The German Air Force was our very first external customer,” said Wieland Timm, senior director of sales for VIP and special-mission aircraft at Lufthansa Technik. “We have been equipping its aircraft, including government aircraft, for decades, thus forming a comprehensive partnership. That we have now been asked to support and equip the latest generation of government aircraft as well is a great vote of confidence. With our wide-ranging expertise for the A350, we are well equipped to meet the high expectations of the new government aircraft.”
Lufthansa Technik supported the development of the A350, has extensive experience providing engineering and maintenance services for the aircraft type, and can supply the majority of components for it. In early 2017, EASA approved Lufthansa Technik as a Part 21/J Design Organisation for the A350. That same year, Lufthansa Technik developed and launched its Welcome Home cabin concept for the A350 XWB. To date, the company has created cabins for more than 45 wide-body aircraft.
