Tourexpi
Historic Ju 52 on its Way to the 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.
Image
Credit: © Lufthansa Group
The most interesting news
Read the News
Major Boost for Tourism: Construction Begins on the Antalya–Alanya Highway
Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, has announced that construction of the new Antalya–Alanya highway will officially commence on 25 July.
Read the News
Marriott International Completes Acquisition of citizenM Brand
Transaction Expands Company's Global Lifestyle Offerings.
Read the News
Discover the Untouched: Marriott Bonvoy’s Hidden Gems Across the Caribbean and Latin America
Marriott Bonvoy invites travelers to uncover some of the Caribbean and Latin America’s most untouched destinations—places where nature takes center stage, serenity feels authentic, and every step is a chance to reconnect with the world in its pur
Read the News
Emirates Group Launches Massive Talent Drive to Power Its Next Era of Innovation and Expansion
The Group is recruiting over 17,300 professionals across 350 roles in 2025.
Read the News
Information Overload: Sabre Finds Content Fragmentation Is A Big Problem
Travel agencies around the world are struggling with rising operational costs and inconsistent customer experiences due to a growing fragmentation of content systems.
Read the News
Italy set to break tourism records as Rome prepares to host WTTC’s 25th Global Summit
International visitor spending to exceed €60 billion as global tourism leaders head to the Eternal City.
Read the News
Boutique Meets Basalt: Cave Luxury at Signature Cave Cappadocia
Amidst surreal tuff rock formations, ancient cave churches, and millennia-old rock dwellings, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a unique boutique property: Signature Cave Cappadocia, Trademark Collection by Wyndham—an extraordinary retreat in o
Read the News
IHG Hotels & Resorts Announces First voco Resort in Oman with the Signing of voco Al Mouj Muscat
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Golden Group Holding for voco Al Mouj Muscat, a 251-room beachfront resort set to open in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Read the News
Agoda Ranks Asia's Most Affordable Summer Destinations for Hoteliers to Manage Yields from Deals
Surabaya leads the list of top-value destinations across Asia, with average room rates at just $35 per night, according to digital travel platform Agoda.
Read the News
TUI Care Foundation launches two new TUI Futureshapers projects in Portugal and North Africa
TUI Futureshapers Portugal offers training, mentorship, and expert support to help social entrepreneurs build sustainable tourism businesses with impact.
Read the News
Balancing Conservation and Tourism: German-Polish Project Develops Monitoring for Protected Areas
How can nature conservation and tourism coexist in sensitive protected areas? The German-Polish project "MoPA" aims to answer this by developing sustainable visitor management and socio-economic monitoring in the Lower Oder Valley.
Read the News
Ryanair urges government to abolish air travel tax in 2026 budget
Air travel tax must be scrapped if Germany wants to return to pre-COVID traffic and tourism levels
Read the News
AI-supported ground processes: Lufthansa, Fraport, and zeroG drive innovation at Frankfurt Airport
Camera-based computer vision solution “seer” improves punctuality — ground operations become more efficient — customer experience enhanced.
Read the News
There's Never Been a Better Time to Visit Hyatt Regency Danang
Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025 winner unveils elevated dining experiences and unparalleled family accommodations.
Read the News
Thailand Leads Push to Strengthen Two-Way Travel Between India and ASEAN
As part of the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism 2025, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted the ASEAN-India Forum from 22–25 July in Bangkok.
Read the News
Greece Introduces Cruise Passenger Fee to Boost Tourism Revenue
Greece has implemented a new fee targeting cruise ship passengers disembarking at its ports, aiming to increase national tourism revenue.
Read the News
TAT Launches Coral College Project to Promote Safe and Sustainable Marine Tourism
New bilingual e-learning platform aims to protect marine ecosystems and raise tourist awareness.
Read the News
Turkish Citizens to Benefit from Facilitation in Schengen Visa Process: Foreign Ministry
Turkish citizens will, for the first time, be able to obtain multiple-entry Schengen visas more quickly and easily, according to a statement from sources at the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday.
Read the News
Over 102 000 Foreign Visitors in Antalya: July Record Broken
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, has announced that on 19 July 2025, more than 102,000 foreign visitors entered Türkiye via the airports of Antalya and Gazipaşa—marking a new single-day record for the month of July.
Read the News
Germany’s Travel & Tourism Sector to Break All-Time Records in 2025
Germany is set to make Travel & Tourism history in 2025, with every major performance indicator expected to reach record levels, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Read the News
Emirates to Introduce Third Daily Flight to Mauritius to Facilitate Travel Across Its Global Network
Emirates has announced the launch of a third daily flight to Mauritius starting 1 December, further supporting inbound tourism to the island nation.
