Aircraft of historical significance stationed at the main office
Lufthansa, Germany's flag carrier airline, is set to mark its upcoming anniversary in April 2023 with a unique display at Frankfurt Airport. According to the latest reports, the Lockheed Super Star and a historical Junkers Ju 52 aircraft will be permanently exhibited at the airport's new visitor and conference center.
The Lockheed Super Star, a four-engine propeller aircraft from the 1950s, and the Junkers Ju 52, dating back to 1936, have been restored and repainted for this special occasion. The Junkers Ju 52, with the historical registration D-AQUI, popularly known as "Tante Ju," will be brought to Frankfurt. The Lockheed Super Star, which was used for non-stop flights over the Atlantic with up to 99 passengers since 1957, arrived at Frankfurt Airport via heavy transport in the night.
Both aircraft belong to the Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin Foundation. However, it's worth noting that the technical restoration and necessary certification by the authorities for the Super Star proved too complex. As a result, the aircraft are no longer airworthy.
Lufthansa's decision to exhibit these historical aircraft at Frankfurt Airport is in line with its tradition of preserving and exhibiting historic aircraft in aviation museums or special anniversary events. Yet, no current details or official announcements about a 2023 exhibition involving these two specific aircraft were found in the provided data.
It's important to acknowledge that Lufthansa's early predecessor, Deutsche Luft Hansa Aktiengesellschaft, was closely involved in the illegal rearmament of the German Reich and became an important part of the Nazi war machine. Thousands of forced laborers had to work under exploitative conditions for the first Hansa. This dark chapter in Lufthansa's history is not lost on the current management, who are committed to transparency and ethical business practices.
Lufthansa is not disclosing the costs for the new visitor and conference center and the restoration of the two aircraft. A new company history of Lufthansa is set to appear in March 2026, which may provide more insights into the airline's past, present, and future.
The MDAX company is building the new visitor and conference center at Frankfurt Airport, and it's expected to be a significant attraction for aviation enthusiasts and general visitors alike. For those seeking more detailed information on this topic, checking Lufthansa's official press releases, their Museum of Aviation, or dedicated aviation heritage news sources directly is advisable, as such plans would typically be announced there.
