Technology Base and the ILT have held constructive discussions in recent days to find a solution to ensure the safe departure of aircraft. Twente Airport clarified to the inspection some specifications of the safety protocols for this type of very large aircraft. By complying with these types of safety requirements (including on runway use, aircraft must be light and carry little fuel), the ILT can issue a one-off exemption. Both parties agree that the current state of affairs is not worth repeating. The Lufthansa aircraft can therefore take off from Twente Airport. The first aircraft will depart shortly. Lufthansa is in talks with interested buyers for the aircraft. Three aircraft have already been sold and will take off before the turn of the year. The other three are scheduled to leave Twente Airport by the end of June 2021.

Technology Base director Jan Schuring says: ‘Twente Airport can now go ahead with its plans to take aircraft into maintenance. Those plans mainly focus on smaller aircraft and that market demand remains high. Storing the large Jumbos was a unique but expiring option and it's nice for Lufthansa that they were able to sell the aircraft ahead of schedule.’ Schuring: ‘It was a complex discussion with ILT, but what matters is the agreed solution.’ 

From Twente Airport director Meiltje de Groot: ‘Obviously, flight safety has always come first for Twente Airport too, and never has and never will. The aircraft maintenance plans allow Twente Airport to continue working towards safe and sustainable aviation.’