The Federal Republic of Germany is offering the Airbus A340-300 with military registration 16+01 for sale against the highest bid. From January 2024, this machine, which last made the headlines in the summer of 2023, will be auctioned off by Vebeg.

The aircraft was built in 1999 and was initially in scheduled service with Lufthansa. Until it was sold to the state, it was registered as D-AIGR. When ready to fly, this Airbus A340 was officially put into service in March 2011. Since then, the four-jet engine has been used primarily as a means of travel by high-ranking members of the Federal Republic of Germany government.

In the summer of 2023, Foreign Minister Baerbock (Greens) had two problems with this machine because it got stranded in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Shortly afterwards it was decided that both the 16+01 and the largely identical 16+02 would no longer be used for government flights.

After the series of mishaps, which was embarrassing from a German perspective, things became quiet about the two Airbus A3450-300s. In September 2023, the 16+02 was sold to the United States of America and now the 16+01 will soon be auctioned. According to a statement from Vebeg, a state-owned collecting society, expressions of interest from buyers will be accepted from mid-January 2024. According to the company, the sale against the highest bid is being carried out “on behalf of the Bundeswehr”.