In 2009, the Lufthansa Group will replace more than 50 older aircraft with aircraft with more efficient fuel consumption. By 2011, this will bring down the average age of the fleet by 7 per cent from 11.3 years at present. The aim of this rejuvenation programme is to guarantee a balanced fleet structure with the latest aircraft and to avert a later backlog of capital expenditure. The new aircraft also have economic advantages, as they consume less fuel and produce fewer emissions and less noise. For example, the new wide-bodied aircraft Boeing 747-8i and Airbus A380 have around 13 per cent lower fuel consumption than the wide-bodied planes currently in service at Lufthansa, the Boeing 747-400, Airbus A340-300, A340-600 and A330-300. Thanks to modern aerodynamics and the latest engine technology the noise footprint of a new Boeing 747-8i is also around 30 per cent lower than a Boeing 747-400 on take-off.
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