The group is expected to take delivery of the £2.1 billion order in stages in the period to 2022.

Its supervisory board approved the investment during a meeting on Monday (May 7).

The order includes two Boeing 777-300ER long-haul aircraft for SWISS, which will supplement its fleet from early 2020 and expand its route network.

Two Boeing 777F, meanwhile, will replace Lufthansa Cargo’s MD11 aircraft, reducing fuel consumption, noise and costs.

Lufthansa said its expansion and modernisation plans came amid first quarter profit margins of more than 9% for SWISS and more than 10% for Lufthansa Cargo, its best for a decade.

However, first quarter earnings, said Lufthansa, were offset by “one-off” costs expanding its budget Eurowings brand following the collapse of Air Berlin.

The airline has also approved an order for as many as 12 short-haul and medium-haul A320-type aircraft, including six options for Airbus A320neo to replace older aircraft across the group.

Depending on availability, the group will also take up to six A320ceo for deployment this year to offset the delays befalling the A320neo aircraft.