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Lufthansa Group Upgrades Airbus A320 Fleet with Real-time Flight Path Data

Lufthansa Group has announced the upgrade of over 130 Airbus A320 aircraft with state-of-the-art, automated flight profile transfer technology starting in 2026.  This will allow for optimized flight routes, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions and ensuring greater punctuality.


Lufthansa Group Upgrades Airbus A320 Fleet with Real-time Flight Path Data – Courtesy Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa Group Upgrades Airbus A320 Fleet with Real-time Flight Path Data – Courtesy Lufthansa Group

 On Wednesday (December 17, 2025), Lufthansa Group announced that for greater efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions, the company is retrofitting their existing Airbus A320 fleet to optimize flight routes.  Starting in 2026, 134 Airbus A320s will be equipped with the FANS-C digital communication system.  The ADS-C EPP (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract Extended Projected Profile) technology automatically transmits 4D flight path information, including data on position, altitude, direction, and time to air traffic control in real time.  This allows flight routes to be better adapted to actual conditions in the air, resulting in more fuel-efficient flight routes, lower CO₂ emissions, and greater punctuality.  As part of a concerted effort to reduce the environmental impact of aviation, the European Commission will cover up to 50 percent of the retrofitting costs.


In Wednesday’s announcement, Lufthansa Group’s Chief Technology Officer, Grazia Vittadini, said,

 

“We are focusing on digitalization to make flying even more efficient.  The retrofitting of our Airbus A320 fleet is a strong sign of innovation and responsibility.  We are delighted that the EU is taking this step together with us.  Only if all partners in the industry make their systems fit for the future in time will Europe soon be able to benefit from a better-connected and thus more sustainable airspace.”


The technology is already in regular use in Maastricht airspace (MUAC), which is the first airspace in Europe to meet all the requirements.  The Lufthansa Group is working with other air traffic control authorities to ensure that fuel-efficient flying can be implemented as quickly as possible in more and more European airspaces. This includes flight trials in collaboration with French air traffic control.  From 2028, the new technology must be installed ex-factory in all newly delivered aircraft and ATC ground systems in the EU.  Nearly 200 retrofitted and upgraded aircraft of the A320 family will be in service for the Lufthansa Group in 2028. 


In 2024, the Lufthansa Group decided to equip all new additions to their A320neo fleet with FANS-C technology and is now taking the next logical step by retrofitting its existing fleet.  The measures are being supported by the European Commission with up to 50 percent funding as part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program.  The new technology is currently certified for aircraft in the Airbus A320 family and the Airbus A330neo. 


 

Source: Lufthansa Group

 
 
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