Aircraft
First A350 Handed Over to German Armed Forces
Inevitably dubbed by the press as “Merkel One,” the aircraft is due to take over long-haul governmental transport duties from the A340.
10+03 (MSN 416) made its first flight at Toulouse on February 21. It was delivered to Lufthansa Technik for initial completion work in May. It will return to the company to have a definitive cabin fitted next year, and in the meantime undertake crew training and test flights. (Photo: Lufthansa Technik)
10+03 (MSN 416) made its first flight at Toulouse on February 21. It was delivered to Lufthansa Technik for initial completion work in May. It will return to the company to have a definitive cabin fitted next year, and in the meantime undertake crew training and test flights. (Photo: Lufthansa Technik)

The first Airbus A350 for the German Armed Forces has been officially handed over by Lufthansa Technik AG (LHT). The low-key August 20 ceremony at the company’s Hamburg plant was attended by Germany’s defense minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.