The iconic Junkers Ju-52, affectionately known as “Tante Ju” (Aunt Ju), is leaving Paderborn-Lippstadt after four years of restoration and will be relocated to the Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Centre near Frankfurt Airport. Starting in 2026, the fully restored aircraft will be a central exhibit at the new facility, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Lufthansa’s founding.
A farewell ceremony honoured the efforts of the Quax Association and Paderborn Airport, which supported the preservation of the Ju-52. The aircraft, owned by the Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin Stiftung, has deep historical ties to Lufthansa, having once made up half of its fleet during the 1930s due to its reliability and robust design.
The new Lufthansa Centre, currently under construction, will serve as a hub for collaboration, aviation education, and public engagement. Alongside the Ju-52, the Lockheed Super Star (D-ALAN) will also be permanently displayed. Visitors will enjoy exhibits, a gallery of Lufthansa’s corporate history, and access to event spaces and a coffee lounge, with the aircraft visible even from outside the building thanks to a transparent façade.