An aircraft in SWISS livery. Credit: © Lufthansa Group.

Deutsche Lufthansa’s supervisory board has approved a €2.1bn order for the purchase of up to 16 additional aircraft.

Delivery of the aircraft is scheduled to take place in phases until 2022.

The order comprises up to 12 short and medium-haul Airbus A320-type aircraft, as well as two Boeing 777-300ER planes and two Boeing 777F aircraft.

The new 777-300ER long-haul aircraft will be operated by Lufthansa’s subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) to expand its route network.

Expected to begin operation by early 2020, the aircraft will represent an investment of more than $600m.

“Depending on availability, Lufthansa also plans to order up to six additional A320ceo, which are expected to be deployed this year in order to offset delivery delays for Airbus A320neo aircraft.”

The aircraft are set to increase SWISS’ long-haul fleet to a total of 31 aircraft, while the investment is expected to create approximately 300 additional jobs.

Furthermore, Lufthansa Cargo will operate the new Boeing 777F freight aircraft, which will replace the carrier’s MD11 cargo planes in the future.

Lufthansa said in a statement: “The investment in fleet expansion at SWISS and a more modern cargo fleet reflect the economic success of the two companies.

“In the first quarter, traditionally a weak quarter for airlines, SWISS had a profit margin of over 9%; Lufthansa Cargo’s was over 10%.

“The order for the new long-haul aircraft highlights the strategy of Lufthansa Group to predominantly allocate the growth within its multi-hub system where cost and quality offer the best conditions for profitable investments.”

Lufthansa’s new A320-type aircraft order includes six delivery options for A320neo aircraft in 2022 that were converted to fixed orders.

Once delivered, the aircraft will replace Lufthansa’s older aircraft currently in operation.

Depending on availability, Lufthansa also plans to order up to six additional A320ceo, which are expected to be deployed this year in order to offset delivery delays for Airbus A320neo aircraft.