Aviation News – Lufthansa Showcases Aviation Heritage at New Frankfurt Visitor Center
Lufthansa has announced the arrival of its historic Junkers Ju 52 aircraft at the airline’s new Conference and Visitor Center at Frankfurt Airport, where it will go on permanent display from spring 2026. The legendary aircraft, affectionately known as “Aunt Ju,” joins the Lockheed Super Star, which arrived earlier this year, forming the centerpiece of Lufthansa’s celebration of aviation heritage.
The Ju 52, registered as D-AQUI, was retired from commercial service in 2018 after more than eight decades in the air. The aircraft underwent a major restoration between 1984 and 1986 and went on to carry more than 250,000 passengers on sightseeing flights for Lufthansa. The new display marks another milestone in the airline’s preparations for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first Lufthansa, which will be commemorated next year.
From a technical perspective, the display highlights the durability and engineering brilliance of early aviation icons. The Ju 52, with its distinctive corrugated metal fuselage and tri-motor design, served as a cornerstone of early passenger and cargo aviation. Alongside it, the Lockheed Super Star, currently in the final stages of wing assembly, symbolizes the golden era of transatlantic flight. Both aircraft will be viewable through the center’s expansive glass façade, offering visitors a close-up look at aviation history.
“The arrival of the Ju 52 and progress on the Super Star mark an exciting moment for the Lufthansa Group,” a company spokesperson said. “These aircraft represent our deep connection to aviation history and our commitment to preserving it for future generations.”
Set to open in spring 2026, the new Lufthansa Conference and Visitor Center—located next to the Lufthansa Aviation Center—will serve as a hub for collaboration, corporate events, and public exhibitions. The facility will feature a gallery showcasing rare artifacts and exhibits from Lufthansa’s century-long history, many displayed publicly for the first time.
With the Ju 52 and Super Star as focal points, Lufthansa’s new center bridges the past and future of aviation, blending the airline’s pioneering legacy with its ongoing innovation in global air transport.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
