Germany Retires A340s Early After Foreign Minister’s Jet Breakdown

Berlin — Germany's armed forces have decided to take its two A340 aircraft out of service early after Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's government jet broke down.

"We will take the two A340s out of service as soon as possible, i.e. in the coming weeks," a spokesman said on Tuesday.

According to previous plans, the two Airbus A340s were to be taken out of service in September 2023 and at the end of 2024. Instead, the existing, more modern A350s are to be used for long-haul routes.

Baerbock had to cancel her week-long visit to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji after she got stranded in Abu Dabhi due to mechanical issues with her jet. The minister was set to fly back to Berlin on a commercial flight on Tuesday.

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