Tourexpi
Since
2020, the aircraft had been undergoing restoration by the Quax Association.
Owned by the Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin Stiftung (DLBS), it will be displayed in
Frankfurt from 2026—coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Lufthansa’s
founding.
At
a farewell ceremony in Paderborn, Lufthansa paid tribute to the Quax
Association and Paderborn Airport for their longstanding support of both the Ju
52 and the Lockheed Super Star. The Quax team will continue to maintain two
other DLBS aircraft: a Dornier Do 27 and a Messerschmitt Bf 108.
Wolfgang
von Richthofen, Project Manager of the new visitor center, emphasized the
significance of the move: “With our Ju 52, we are preserving the history of
Lufthansa and aviation. The historic aircraft will enrich our new exhibition
and will be accessible to customers, employees, aviation enthusiasts, and the
general public.”
Werner
Knorr, CEO of DLBS, added: “The departure from Paderborn is not a final
farewell, but the beginning of a new chapter—one that honors the Ju 52’s
heritage and its importance in aviation history.”
The
Junkers Ju 52
First
introduced in the early 1930s, the Ju 52 quickly became a cornerstone of the
Lufthansa fleet. Added in 1932, it made up nearly half of all aircraft in the
fleet at its peak. Originally designed as a single-engine model, it was later
converted to a three-engine configuration, prized for its robust construction,
reliability, and ease of maintenance. Over the decades, the Ju 52 evolved into
a powerful symbol of civil aviation history.
The
Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Center
Adjacent
to the Lufthansa Aviation Center (LAC) at Frankfurt Airport, construction of
the Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Center began in 2024. The new
facility is envisioned as a space for collaboration among employees, customers,
business partners, and aviation fans.
The
center will not only showcase Lufthansa’s forward-looking innovation but also
its rich heritage. Two restored aircraft will be on permanent display: the
Junkers Ju 52 (D-AQUI) and, for the first time, the Lockheed Super Star
(D-ALAN), which is currently being painted at Münster-Osnabrück Airport. Both
planes will be visible from afar through a large transparent façade.
Inside,
visitors will discover a gallery of exhibits from Lufthansa’s corporate
history—some never before shown to the public. Like its counterpart “Lufthansa
Seeheim,” the new facility will also be available for external events and will
include a coffee lounge offering culinary treats.
Image
Credit: © Lufthansa Group
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