The first stop on the itinerary was Lufthansa Technik at Hamburg Airport. After breakfast we started at 08:30.

Lufthansa Technik is one of the leading manufacturer-independent providers of maintenance, repair and overhaul services as well as modifications in the civil aviation industry. Lufthansa Technik is an internationally licensed repair, manufacturing and development company. With its six business areas (maintenance, overhaul, equipment supply, engines, landing gear and VIP Services), Lufthansa Technik offers its around 750 customers a full range of aircraft technology services.

Photo of an aircraft engine

© Georg Stechauner

Lufthansa Technik at the Hamburg site overhauls aircraft. These are the largest and most complex maintenance events, which are also subject to special qualification requirements on the part of the aviation security authorities. The overhaul includes the IL check (intermediate layover check) as well as the D check. The IL check takes around two to four weeks and is carried out every three to five years. The D-Check is the general overhaul of an aircraft and is therefore the most comprehensive of all technical aircraft services. This review is carried out every six to ten years over a period of four to six weeks.

Group photo in the Lufthansa hangar

© Dagmar Fischer

Lufthansa Technik has a 50-year tradition of looking after VIP, business and government aircraft. The main location for the VIP & Executive Jet Solutions division is Hamburg. It includes the areas of maintenance, design and production. As a full-service provider for technical inspection, cabin interiors, conversion, maintenance, overhaul and painting, it is possible to offer VIP customers unique solutions for their aircraft. Tailor-made interiors for narrow-body aircraft, wide-bodied aircraft and smaller business jets are manufactured.

Taking photos was strictly forbidden during the tour, since this is where Lufthansa Technik's most profitable segment presented itself: the VIP customers. Pictures of airplanes and their interiors with flags from Brunei or even the Middle East should not necessarily be found on the Internet, as this will not have a positive effect on business.

Group photo in the Lufthansa hangar

© Dagmar Fischer

Finally, we still had the opportunity to see a Lufthansa machine being serviced.

[Translate to English:] Foto der alten Speicherstadt

© Dagmar Fischer

After visiting Lufthansa, we went back to the city, where there was a 2-hour harbor tour in the late afternoon when the sun was returning. Starting with the old warehouse district...

Photo of a container ship

© Dagmar Fischer

... past huge container ships from the Far East ...

Photo of the port of Hamburg with the Elbphilharmonie in the background

© Dagmar Fischer

... this tour gave us an insight into the port life of Hamburg.

Group photo on the fire brigade ship in the port of Hamburg

© Dagmar Fischer

In the evening we enjoyed an excellent dinner at the "Feuerschiff", for which we would like to thank our sponsors.

Group photo at the fire brigade ship in the port of Hamburg at dinner

© Dagmar Fischer

After a long first day there was of course a lot to talk about (or just a big hunger).

Photo of the Rickmer Rickmers in the port of Hamburg

© Georg Stechauner

Before walking to the hotel we enjoyed the fascinating sight of the Rickmer Rickmers at night.