Lufthansa is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026 by organizing an exhibition at its conference center in Frankfurt. The event will feature two vintage airliners, including the Junkers Ju 52, which recently arrived in Frankfurt after being restored and used for leisure flights.
The Junkers Ju 52 first entered service with Lufthansa in 1932 and became a significant part of the airline's fleet during the interwar period. The specific aircraft on display, registered as D-AQUI, was later used for sightseeing flights after its commercial service ended. It underwent restoration in the mid-1980s and carried more than 250,000 passengers before retiring in 2018.
Lufthansa described the aircraft as "valued for its efficiency and reliability," adding that it is "a symbol of pioneering spirit, engineering excellence, and the fascination of flight." The airline also stated: "Its robust design and ability to land on unpaved runways made it a byword for reliability and innovation. Today, the Ju 52 is considered a cult aircraft that continues to thrill aviation fans."