The Lufthansa Supervisory Board today approved an order for 35 new aircraft from Airbus. Starting from 2007, Lufthansa will take delivery of 30 new short and medium range planes. The Board also gave permission for Lufthansa to order five of the long range Airbus A330s.

The order is set to allow a boost in capacity for Lufthansa, as well as allow the company to pursue its policy of fleet renewal. Currently Lufthansa has a European fleet of 153 aircraft, 80 of which are from Airbus.

The order of five new long haul aircraft will "underpin Lufthansa's plans for growth in the long-haul sector.' A statement read today. The order will be delivered over the next two years and shall compensate for the delayed entry of the Airbus A380 into service.

Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber said in a statement, This order underlines our commitment to growth. Our customers will benefit from the wider range of flight options. We are achieving profitable growth and are thus opening up new perspectives for our employees and shareholders,