Tandem Lift Places Airbus A310 at Serengeti Park

30-Second Takeaway

Schlamann Autokrane used a 300-tonne Liebherr LTM 1300-6.3 and a 250-tonne LTM 1250-5.1 to complete a precise tandem lift, placing a 49-tonne Airbus A310 fuselage at Serengeti Park, Germany. The aircraft was transported from Langenhagen Airport and positioned onto prepared bearings, where it will be converted into a restaurant scheduled to open in September next year.

German rental specialist Schlamann Autokrane has successfully completed a complex tandem lift to unload and position a decommissioned Airbus A310 at Serengeti Park, Germany, where the aircraft will be repurposed as a future restaurant attraction.

The operation was carried out using two Liebherr all-terrain cranes: a 300-tonne LTM 1300-6.3 and a 250-tonne LTM 1250-5.1. Together, the cranes lifted and positioned the aircraft’s 49-tonne main fuselage from heavy transport vehicles onto pre-installed bearings at the site.

Lift Planning and Execution

During the tandem lift, the LTM 1300-6.3 carried the majority of the load, handling 32.5 tonnes at a working radius of up to 22 metres, supported by 77 tonnes of ballast. The LTM 1250-5.1 managed the remaining 16.5 tonnes using 42 tonnes of ballast.

Careful coordination allowed the crane operators to precisely thread the fuselage between the two cranes, ensuring controlled placement onto the prepared supports.

Transported and Installed by the Same Fleet

According to Torsten Schlamann, Managing Director of Schlamann Autokrane, the aircraft was transported from Langenhagen Airport, where it was originally loaded using the same equipment.

“The aircraft was transported here from Langenhagen Airport — we loaded it there and unloaded it here,” Schlamann said. “The LTM 1300-6.3 has been in operation since March and is the largest crane in our fleet.”

From Aircraft to Attraction

For Serengeti Park, the lift marks a major milestone in a long-term vision.

Dirk Jasper of Serengeti Park explained that the concept of converting an aircraft into a restaurant began five years ago, with the A310 purchased at auction four years later.

“There were obstacles such as official requirements and driving permits, but now we are happy that it is here,” Jasper said. “The restaurant’s opening ceremony is planned for September next year.”

About Schlamann Autokrane

Schlamann Autokrane GmbH is a German-based crane rental and heavy lifting specialist headquartered in Nienburg, Lower Saxony. The company provides mobile crane, transport, and lifting solutions for industrial, infrastructure, energy, and special project applications across Germany.

Schlamann operates a fleet of approximately 250 machines, including 21 mobile cranes, supported by aerial work platforms and industrial fork trucks. With around 90 employees across four locations, the company focuses on complex lifts, tandem operations, and technically demanding installations, supported by in-house lift planning and experienced crane operators.

🔗 Learn more:https://www.schlamann-autokrane.de

About Liebherr

Liebherr Group is a global manufacturer of construction machinery and heavy equipment, headquartered in Germany. The company’s mobile and crawler crane division, operated by Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH and based in Ehingen, Germany, is one of the world’s leading producers of mobile and crawler cranes.

Liebherr’s crane portfolio spans mobile, crawler, tower, and maritime cranes, with lifting capacities ranging from approximately 40 tonnes to over 1,200 tonnes. These cranes are used worldwide across infrastructure, industrial construction, energy, port operations, and heavy-lift applications, supported by Liebherr’s global production, engineering, and service network.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.liebherr.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What was installed at Serengeti Park?

A decommissioned Airbus A310 fuselage was positioned on prepared bearings as part of a redevelopment project.

Why was a tandem lift required?

The size, weight, and placement accuracy of the fuselage required two cranes working in coordination to control the lift and final positioning.

Which cranes were used?

Schlamann Autokrane used a 300-tonne Liebherr LTM 1300-6.3 and a 250-tonne Liebherr LTM 1250-5.1.

How was the lift executed?

The fuselage was unloaded from heavy transport vehicles and carefully threaded between the two cranes before being placed onto its supports.

Where was the aircraft transported from?

The aircraft was moved from Langenhagen Airport, where it was loaded prior to transport.

What is the planned use of the aircraft?

The fuselage will be converted into a restaurant, with an opening planned for September next year.