The heavy transport of a retired Bundeswehr Airbus from Hannover Airport to Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen has started. The journey will take three nights over about 50 kilometers. Environmental regulations ensure trees along the route are protected.
The heavy transport of the retired Bundeswehr Airbus A310 "Kurt Schumacher" has begun from Hannover-Langenhagen Airport toward Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen. Over three nights, the aircraft will be moved the nearly 50 kilometers to the safari park in the Südheide region. To meet environmental regulations, branches on hundreds of trees along the route will be tied up high to prevent damage.
The transport path runs for about 1.8 kilometers through a protected area. A new procedure to lower the fuselage from 6.80 meters to 5.90 meters led to recent approval from the Region Hannover. This aims to avoid damage to trees in the landscape protection zone. The detached wings and tail fin have already been delivered to the park.
Years of disputes surrounded the transfer and potential environmental harm. On Thursday, the Airbus could be lifted off its transport frame using two cranes at the leisure park. By late summer 2026, a restaurant with around 200 seats is planned at Serengeti Park, including 150 indoor spots and outdoor seating on the wings. The park spans 220 hectares and houses about 2,000 wild and exotic animals.