Lufthansa Splits $7.7bn Widebody Order as ITA Stake-Up Reshapes European Long-Haul

Lufthansa Group has committed to a $7.7bn fleet renewal split evenly between Airbus and Boeing, alongside a move to acquire majority control of ITA Airways, in twin announcements that reshape the European long-haul map for the coming decade.

The supervisory board approved orders for ten Airbus A350-900s and ten Boeing 787-9s at its 11 May meeting, with deliveries scheduled between 2032 and 2034. Chief executive Carsten Spohr framed the commitment as a sustainable investment in premium long-haul, the latest tranche of what the group describes as its largest fleet renewal in history. The aircraft will replace ageing Airbus A340-600s, due to exit by the close of the 2026 summer season, and Boeing 747-400s, which begin a phased withdrawal in late 2026. The group now carries 232 aircraft on order, of which 107 are next-generation long-haul.

The balanced split is significant. After months of speculation that Lufthansa was close to a follow-on order with one manufacturer, the decision to take from both signals a hedge against the supply chain bottlenecks that have constrained both airframers. Airbus delivered just 67 aircraft in April, with year-to-date deliveries 2.7 per cent below 2025. Boeing's 777X programme continues to face delays, with Lufthansa retaining several A340-300s as backup.

In a separate announcement, Lufthansa confirmed it will exercise its option in June to lift its ITA Airways stake from 41 per cent to 90 per cent for €325m, with a path to full ownership. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2027, subject to clearance from the European Commission and the US Department of Justice. Lufthansa Cargo already markets ITA's freight capacity, equivalent to three Boeing 777 freighters.