Two Liebherr mobile cranes have been used to lift a decommissioned Airbus A310 into place at Germany’s Serengeti Park, where the aircraft will be converted into a restaurant.
The cranes, supplied by Schlamann Autokrane GmbH, unloaded the aircraft from heavy transport vehicles and placed it onto prepared bearings inside the park. Once complete, the aircraft will become a new attraction at the leisure and safari destination.
The lift was carried out using a tandem operation, with the aircraft weighing about 49 tonnes. An LTM 1300-6.3 handled the main load of 32.5 tonnes at a radius of up to 22 metres and was fitted with 77 tonnes of ballast. An LTM 1250-5.1 lifted the remaining 16.5 tonnes using 42 tonnes of ballast.
Torsten Schlamann, managing director of Schlamann Autokrane GmbH, said:
“This is a very exciting order. The aircraft was transported here from Langenhagen Airport. We loaded it there and unloaded it here. The LTM 1300-6.3 has been in operation since March and is our most powerful mobile crane. It is characterised by its very long telescopic boom of 90 metres. We have already completed many jobs – the drivers are happy with the new crane and I am satisfied. It was a good decision to buy this crane.”
The Serengeti Park, which combines a safari experience with theme park attractions, plans to turn the Airbus into a fully operating restaurant.
Dirk Jasper, head of business unit project at Serengeti Park, said:
“Five years ago, we had the crazy idea of converting an aeroplane into a restaurant. Four years ago, we bought an aeroplane at auction. There were obstacles such as official requirements and driving permits, but now we are happy that the aircraft is here. The opening ceremony of the restaurant is planned for September 2026.”
Schlamann Autokrane GmbH operates a fleet of 21 mobile cranes, most of them from Liebherr. The company employs around 90 people across four locations and also hires out work platforms and forklifts. Its fleet includes about 250 machines and items of equipment.