Lufthansa Technik (LHT) has outfitted and delivered its second Boeing Business Jet 747-8 to an undisclosed customer and is now completing its third example of the VIP widebody.
"The delivery of this second 747-8 is another milestone for us in the area of VVIP completions for widebody aircraft,” says Walter Heerdt, LHT’s senior vice-president VIP and executive jet solutions.
“We have handed over an individually designed, state-of-the-art aircraft fitted with high-quality materials to meet the most discerning demands in terms of exclusivity and comfort," he adds.
LHT, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany is the most prolific outfitter of VIP 747s, with 14 versions of the airliner completed and delivered.
This latest aircraft incorporates new features in its 440m² (4,740ft²) cabin, says LHT. These include an integrated cabin management and onboard entertainment system with broadband internet, wireless local area network, TV and satellite communications equipment.
“Materials were also used for the first time [during the completion process] that posed significant challenges for the engineers," LHT says.
The company has completed and refurbished more than 100 VIP airliners since it was established in 1994. Of these, around 40 are Boeings, it says.
For its part, Boeing has delivered 213 green narrowbody and widebody BBJs since forming its dedicated business aircraft subsidiary 20 years ago.
In 2015 the company handed over 11 aircraft to completion centres which, in turn, delivered eight completed models to customers – five Boeing 737-based BBJs and three BBJ 747-8s.
Source: Flight International