Lufthansa marks 100 years and opens new conference and visitor center

Germany

Hundreds of guests from politics, business and media attended the ceremony at Lufthansa Group Hangar One in Frankfurt

Lufthansa Group celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first Lufthansa with a major ceremony at Frankfurt Airport. During the event, the company officially opened Hangar One, the new conference and visitor center of Lufthansa Group. Hundreds of guests from politics, business and media attended the celebration, including German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who delivered the keynote address.

The anniversary event highlighted Lufthansa’s development from a national airline into one of Europe’s largest aviation groups. Today, the Lufthansa Group employs around 110,000 people and operates 14 airlines, alongside Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik, with six hubs in five home markets across Europe.

Leadership highlights aviation’s role in connectivity and growth

Carsten Spohr, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Group, emphasized the historical significance of the anniversary and the company’s future role in global aviation.

“100 years ago, the founding of the first Lufthansa marked the beginning of an unprecedented success story,” said Spohr. “From it emerged our present-day Lufthansa Group. With 110,000 employees across 14 airlines today, at Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Technik, at six hubs in five home markets in the heart of Europe. As an international group, we will continue to fulfill our mission in the future: to connect people, cultures and economies in a sustainable way. Because air transport has been a growth industry for a hundred years and will remain so in the future.”

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz also underlined the airline’s importance for Germany and the global aviation sector.

“Lufthansa is an integral part of the history of the Federal Republic and a key company for Germany as a business location,” said Merz. “For a century, it has connected people and markets around the world. Lufthansa's success is above all the merit of over 100,000 Lufthansa employees who, day after day, hour after hour, ensure that passengers and cargo arrive safely. I wish Lufthansa continued success for the next 100 years.”

Dr. Karl-Ludwig Kley, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, highlighted the strategic priorities for the company’s future.

“We are ready for the future. And we want the future,” said Kley. “We are prepared to contribute to prosperity and growth in Europe. To do so, we are focusing on innovation, on new technologies in aviation, on artificial intelligence and digitalization, and on further internationalization. Civil aviation is more important today than ever before. For people around the world it means connectivity beyond their own borders. It means economic growth and jobs. We at Lufthansa are ready for the future.”

New Hangar One center showcases aviation history and innovation

The ceremony also honored the people who have shaped the Lufthansa brand over the past century. As part of the event program, employees from different generations of the company shared their experiences, including the youngest apprentice within the Lufthansa Group.

Among the guests were ambassadors and senior political representatives from federal, state and European institutions, including Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder and the Minister-President of Hesse, Boris Rhein.

Today, Lufthansa Group plays a central role in Germany’s aviation industry. Around 65 percent of the group’s more than 100,000 employees work in Germany. Frankfurt am Main is the company’s largest location, employing more than 35,000 people.

The newly opened Hangar One at Frankfurt Airport is designed as a conference and visitor center that will also serve as a platform for collaboration and innovation within the Lufthansa Group. For customers, partners and aviation enthusiasts, it offers an opportunity to experience the history and future of the company.

Among the highlights of the center are two historic aircraft – a Junkers Ju 52 and a Lockheed Super Star – which have been extensively restored and are now on permanent display. Visitors can also explore numerous exhibits from Lufthansa’s corporate history presented along an open gallery, some of which are being shown to the public for the first time. Hangar One is scheduled to open to the general public in early summer.

To mark the anniversary, more than 200 Lufthansa employees from various departments also gathered for a special commemorative photo in front of an Airbus A350 in anniversary livery. Technicians, pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers and administrative staff took part, symbolizing the teamwork that keeps Lufthansa aircraft operating around the world.