Historic Ju 52 on its Way to the Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Center

Germany

The historic Junkers Ju 52, affectionately known as "Aunt Ju," is leaving Paderborn-Lippstadt to become a permanent exhibit at the new Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Center.

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.