Condor Completes Thomas Cook Livery Conversion Using LXM Group Foils
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Condor has returned to its heritage, with the last of the Thomas Cook livery in its fleet having been replaced by the Condor insignia using special foils created by APEX member LXM Group (Lasker Cross-Media). The conversion of the 50th aircraft marked the completion of what LXM claims is the largest exterior livery contract in European aviation industry history.
The last aircraft to see its Thomas Cook heart livery transformed to instead sport the golden Condor tail was an Airbus A320 with registration EC-MVH (new: D-AICP). The conversion project began at the end of November, when the new Condor design was unveiled on a Boeing 767 with the registration D-ABUF.
Another 49 aircraft went through the tail fin and livery redesign process over the months that followed, as part of routine maintenance conducted at Condor Technik locations in Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. LXM Group (Lasker Cross-Media) was able to complete the project to transform the rebranding of the entire Condor fleet by the end of June, despite delays brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, which interrupted the ongoing project in late March after the 46th aircraft was completed.
“Germany’s most popular holiday airline is now recognizable at first glance. Every Condorian is proud that all our planes have the Condor logo on their tail,” says Christian Schmitt, managing director, Operations at Condor. “We thank LXM for the excellent cooperation.”
The ambitious livery conversion was expedited and made more environmentally friendly through the use of powerful, aviation-grade foil material for the new branding, instead of paint. This foil technique avoided Condor having to re-route aircraft through paint shops, saving time and lowering the CO2 footprint of the project.
LXM specialists managed the production of the foils and the installation at Condor’s maintenance facilities, as well as the required airworthiness related documentation and certification. In total, over 5,500 m² of aircraft area had to be foiled€”nearly the standard size of a soccer field, which is 7,140 m². The 767 alone required 120 m² in foil area to be installed on both sides of the rear of the aircraft.
“We are very pleased that we were able to implement this project together with the Condor team and to bring the Condor logo back into the tails of the aircraft after a break of 16 years,” said Roland Müller-Buchner, project manager and partner, LXM Group. “This order was clearly not just a project, but also a mission for us.”
Aviation service provider LXM recently joined the APEX association. The company specializes in livery and aviation signage, including both corporate branding and ancillary advertising. As well as offering both exterior and interior signage from complete aircraft livery to placards, stencils and spray mask, it also provides a range of marketing and advertising solutions across cabin advertising space and in-flight entertainment and connectivity platforms.