DALLAS – A Boeing 737-8 operated by TUI fly Deutschland (X3) showcased a special livery to commemorate the airline's 50-year history. Aviation photographer Dirk Grothe was in Hannover to capture the newly-painted Boeing 737 MAX's arrival.

Named 'Fuerteventura', the Boeing 737-8, registered as D-AMAH, arrived in Germany from the paint shop in Norwich, United Kingdom, on May 7, 2024.

The next day, the Boeing aircraft landed in front of 300 guests at Hanover Airport (HAJ) in the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony, before departing for Fuerteventura Airport (FUE).

A Trifecta of a Livery

The new livery is comprised of three sections, with the colors of X3 on the front fuselage section, Hapag-Lloyd Express in the middle, and Hapag-Lloyd Flug (HF) at the tail. This design represents the merger of the aforementioned German airlines in 2007, which formed X3, a subsidiary of TUI Group.

Hapag-Lloyd Flug was established in July 1972, two years after the merger of HAPAG and Norddeutscher Lloyd. The airline acquired Boeing 727 aircraft to transport cruise passengers from Germany to the ports of call for the cruises. It commenced operations on March 30, 1973, providing a vital link between the shipping group and its cruise business.

In its early years, a Hapag-Lloyd Boeing 737-200 sported the original orange and blue livery, which remained in use for nearly three decades. This iconic design represents a significant era in the airline's history. Later, an Airbus A310-300 operated by Hapagfly showcased its old livery in 2004, reflecting a different phase of the airline's visual identity.

In its final livery iteration in 2007, a Boeing 737-800 proudly displayed the Hapagfly branding. This livery marked the conclusion of a chapter in the airline's history.

Comments from TUI CEO

TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel expressed his excitement about the new livery, stating, "For 50 years, flights with TUI fly have guaranteed a successful start to your holiday. Together with my colleagues at TUI fly, I am pleased that we can now launch a flying ambassador who will visualize developments since the 1970s."

Needless to say, seeing the livery representing the journey from HF, Hapag-Lloyd Express, to X3 was a special moment for all who attended the touchdown at HAJ. According to X3, an official ceremony is planned later this year in the Canary Islands.