LTU    

LTU was founded in Frankfurt on the 20th of October 1955, bearing the name “Lufttransport-Union”. The first flight on the 2nd of March 1956 carried 36 passengers from Frankfurt to Catania / Sicily – at which time the numbers of passengers carried was several hundred per year.
In those early days, only one aircraft was operated: a twin-engine Vickers Viking with two radial engines, carrying the registration D-ADAM. This some what podgy aircraft, developed from the Wellington bomber, reached a maximum speed of 340 kilometres per hour.
Majorca calling: in 1960, Majorca became LTU’s first regularly served holiday destination. A joint holiday programme of LTU and 'Dr. Tigges Reisen' marks the beginning of the island's popularity. Majorca became the favourite holiday destination of the German market.
In January 1961, LTU moved to the Rhineland and Dusseldorf became the home base of the red and white fleet. From here the company continued to expand following the motto of its founder Kurt Conle “Flying is for everybody”.
LTU became a tour operator: TRANSAIR was founded in 1964 – a package tour operator using exclusively the services of LTU. Its trustee Ernst-Juergen Ahrens, who was also temporarily manager with Dr. Tigges Reisen, had the wish to integrate the renowned Wuppertal operator Dr. Tigges within LTU. These were the first thoughts of forming a consolidated tourism group.
The first records were achieved in 1967, at which time LTU’s fleet consisted of five aircrafts: three F27 and two Caravelle operating 7,577 flights to about 20 destinations carrying 250,000 passengers. This means an increase of 40 per cent compared to the year before.
In 1969 LTU sets standards as it becomes the first holiday airline to operate a jet-only fleet - all new aircrafts: Caravelle and Fokker Fellowship.
In 1973, LTU’s success story gained momentum – with the arrival of the first triple-engine Lockheed TriStar. This Californian aircraft made LTU the first holiday carrier to operate an aircraft with a cabin having two aisles. The aircraft was quite spectacular for that time. LTU had the following TriStar types in operation: L1011-100 (358 seats, middle range) and L1011-500 (288 seats, long range). These paved the way to the company's success.
Charter holidays boom: in 1976 around 770,000 passengers began their holiday flying with LTU. Due to the tremendous increase of more than 200,000 passengers compared to the year before the executive floor intended to acquire further TriStars.
LTU set out for Asia and America: a further two TriStars joined the LTU fleet in 1977 now consisting of three Caravelles and four TriStars. LTU now operated flights to New York, the Bahamas and Sri Lanka.
The fifth large jet entered service in the late seventies and at the same time the remaining Caravelles were taken out of service. LTU became the first European holiday airline to operate only with these large jets with the silent engines for which LTU received many awards. In 1978 the number of passengers carried on the red and white jets exceeded 1 million for the first time.
In 1980 LTU as airline and tour operator gained its position in the European tourist branch. The first long range TriStar went into service on the 28th of April. A second jet followed shortly afterwards making it possible to operate non-stop long range flights.
The growth of LTU continues: in 1980 the tour operator Meier’s Weltreisen was founded with the incentive to fill the capacity available in the new long range jets.
In 1981 LTU acquired the controlling shares of the tour operator TJAEREBORG, a German company which was originally a subsidiary of the Danish company of the same name.
The eighth TriStar went into service for LTU. This increased the seating capacity of the entire fleet to 2,622 seats. The Munich based tour operator JAHN REISEN became a 100% subsidiary of LTU making the increased seating capacity essential.
1984: LUFTRANSPORT SÜD (LTS, later named LTU Süd) is the name of the newly founded subsidiary airline of the LTU group. The airline has its base in the capital of Bavaria - Munich .
Reducing costs – growing demands: in 1986 a further TriStar joined the LTU fleet. The fleet now consisted of nine large modern jets offering a seating capacity of 3,000 seats. LTS in Munich operated a fleet of three Boeing 757 offering a seating capacity of 597 seats. Distant resorts became nearer than ever before thanks to LTU.
In 1987 LTU experienced the birth of a further airline, this time in Spain: The company was forced to change its strategy due to the forthcoming liberalization in aviation within Europe. The Munich based airline LTS received a new name and became LTU Süd. The subsidiary airline LTE was founded in Majorca with the intention of bringing Spanish tourists to northern Europe.
LTC, the new catering firm and subsidiary of LTU, was established in 1988 at the airport Dusseldorf. Situated in their own new building and operating their own fleet of catering vehicles they offer a service to airlines for inflight catering and duty free items.
In 1990 LTU became a member of the international air transport aviation association, IATA and began operating scheduled flights to the USA. This was also the first opportunity to enter the cargo market.
Scheduled flights to the Far East: In 1991 LTU was granted the rights for scheduled flights to Thailand and operated 3 flights a week to this popular destination in the Far East. In the winter flight schedule the following new destinations were to be found: Orlando, Atlanta, Eilat, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco and San José.
The clever bunny with the floppy ears: In 1992 LTU presented Hasimir. The lively children’s mascot is always a lovely friend for our young passengers on their travels.
LTU established its first cargo office in Dusseldorf. Further offices followed in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. Since 1996 with a cargo volume of 20,000 tons LTU Cargo has grown to become an economic stronghold.
The first woman in the cockpit: In 1993 Sabine Trube took up her position in the cockpit and flies the Boeing 767 all over the world.
1994 – worldwide service: a common representative service was made available at all LTU destinations for the LTU tour operators. The newly formed subsidiary has the name 'Worldwide' dealing with various contracts with local agents coordinating the necessities of the LTU group and the appertaining incoming agents.
1995: LTU invested more than a billion German Marks to expand its fleet. The first Airbus A 330-300 to be registered in Germany started operations for LTU at the beginning of the airlines 40th jubilee. This is the beginning of further expansion and replacements in the airline's fleet. A total of six A 330-300 with a seating capacity of 387 seats is gradually replacing the successful but aging TriStars.
1996: LTU Touristik was founded. The tour operators Transair, Tjaereborg, Jahn Reisen and Meier’s Weltreisen were brought together within the new company. The intention was to establish the first German consolidated tourism group together with the airline LTU.
1998: LTU took the last MD11 out of service. The largest aircraft in the LTU fleet with a seating capacity of 408 seats had been in operation since 1991.
In 1998 due to legal grounds presented by the cartel office the WestLB, up to now the largest share holder in the LTU group, had to sell their shares to the Swiss SAirGroup.
In 2000 Rewe Touristik based in Cologne made a 100% take over of LTU Touristik including all tour operators. Rewe Touristik also invested in the airline LTU and holds 40% of the shares.
After the insolvency of the SAirGroup in 2001, Rewe Touristik strengthened its engagement in LTU by appointing a second manager on the LTU executive board.
2002: The plans to restructure LTU which commenced at the beginning of 2000 are eagerly being implemented. The central plan is to make changes within the fleet. The aim is to have an Airbus-only fleet. The plans are expected to be completed by the end of 2003. LTU will then have one of the most modern and economic fleets in the world.