Two Liebherr mobile cranes operated by Schlamann Autokrane GmbH have successfully unloaded and positioned a decommissioned Airbus A310 at Serengeti Park in Lower Saxony, Germany. The aircraft, transported by heavy-duty vehicles from Langenhagen Airport, has been placed on prepared bearings and will be converted into an extraordinary restaurant, adding a new attraction to the leisure and safari park.
The complex lift was executed as a tandem operation involving an LTM 1300-6.3 and an LTM 1250-5.1. With a total aircraft weight of approximately 49 tonnes, the LTM 1300-6.3 handled the main load of 32.5 tonnes at a radius of up to 22 metres and was configured with 77 tonnes of ballast. The LTM 1250-5.1 lifted the remaining 16.5 tonnes, requiring 42 tonnes of ballast. Careful planning and precise coordination were essential to ensure safe unloading and accurate positioning of the aircraft structure.
Torsten Schlamann, Managing Director of Schlamann Autokrane GmbH, described the project as particularly exciting. He explained that the aircraft was both loaded at Langenhagen Airport and unloaded at Serengeti Park by the company’s team. The LTM 1300-6.3, Schlamann’s most powerful mobile crane, has been in operation since March and features a 90-metre telescopic boom. According to Schlamann, the crane has already proven its value across multiple projects, earning positive feedback from operators and confirming the investment decision.
Serengeti Park is well known for combining safari experiences with theme park attractions, and the Airbus A310 is set to further enhance its offering. Dirk Jasper, Head of Business Unit Project at Serengeti Park, explained that the idea of converting an aircraft into a restaurant emerged five years ago. After purchasing the aircraft at auction four years ago and overcoming regulatory and transport challenges, the park is now preparing for the restaurant’s opening, planned for September 2026.
Schlamann Autokrane GmbH operates a fleet of 21 mobile cranes, almost exclusively from Liebherr. Employing around 90 people across four locations, the company also provides work platforms and forklift rentals, with a total fleet of approximately 250 machines and devices supporting a wide range of lifting and access solutions.
