Predicting the weather even more precisely, analyzing climate changes even more precisely, researching even better how the world is developing. That is the goal of a worldwide unique cooperation between Lufthansa and several research institutes.

And it is precisely for this purpose that the AUA parent is converting an Airbus A350-900 with the name “Erfurt” (registration D-AIXJ). Specifically, in the future the long-haul aircraft will no longer just fly passengers around the world, but also collect data for climate research. The Airbus machine is thus becoming a flying research laboratory.

To this end, extensive renovation work has already been carried out in the Lufthansa Technik hangar in Malta. “Preparations for the installation of the air intake system were made on the lower fuselage. This is followed by a series of test joints, at the end of which there is the certification of a climate research laboratory weighing around 1,6 tons, the so-called Caribic measuring container, ”explains Lufthansa.

Much more accurate than satellite or ground-based measuring systems

The "Erfurt" is expected to take off from Munich on its first flight in the service of climate research at the end of 2021. It then measures around 100 different trace gases, aerosol and cloud parameters in the tropopause region (at an altitude of nine to twelve kilometers). The special feature: At this level, climate-relevant parameters can be recorded with significantly higher accuracy and temporal resolution on board the aircraft than with satellite or ground-based measurement systems.

With the data obtained by the D-AIXJ, the performance of today's atmosphere and climate models and thus their informative value for the future climate on earth will be assessed. All of this should happen during normal passenger traffic. "We believe that commercial aircraft play an important role in providing a better understanding of the impact of CO2 and non-CO2 emissions on climate change," said Simone Rauer, Head of Aviation Environmental Roadmap at Airbus.