Lufthansa Cargo expands network with additional 777 freighters

Lufthansa Cargo is adding new flights to its all-cargo network as it continues to take delivery of freighter aircraft.

The Frankfurt-hubbed carrier will add another B777 freighter into service at the end of the month, while a second A321F will begin flying in October.

Lufthansa Cargo said delivery of the aircraft will allow it to expand its network and add additional flights to existing calls for its winter schedule, which comes into effect on October 30.

New to the schedule is Hanoi (HAN), which will be served twice a week from Frankfurt via Mumbai (BOM) from the beginning of November. The carrier already flies twice per week to Bangkok.

In addition, the carrier’s service from Frankfurt via Kansai (KIX) to Seoul (ICN) will increase from three to four weekly flights.

The frequency to Hong Kong (HKG) will also be increased from four to five weekly flights.

The service from Frankfurt to Mexico City (MEX) will be increased from five to six and to Chicago (ORD) from seven to eight flights per week.

Ashwin Bhat, Lufthansa Cargo’s chief commercial officer, said: “We are observing strong demand for our product to North America as well as to economically strong Asia. Vietnam in particular is a clear growth market and I am very pleased that we are establishing a new station there and can thus offer our customers an attractive range of quality cargo transport services to this region.”

Lufthansa Cargo’s current 2022-2023 winter flight schedule consists of a total of 78 weekly Boeing 777F freighter rotations.

The carrier offers 38 weekly connections to airports in Asia, 34 rotations between Europe and North America and four to South America, amongst others.

The carrier currently operates 11 B777Fs, while AeroLogic, its 50/50 joint venture with DHL, operates five of the aircraft for Lufthansa.

Earlier this year, the carrier ordered three Boeing 777F freighters and seven new-generation 777-8F freighters to increase its airfreight capacity.

Last week, Lufthansa’s logistics division, which includes Lufthansa Cargo, time:matters, Jettainer and the company’s share of AeroLogic, reported that its second-quarter revenues increase by 45% year on year to €1.3bn, while earnings before interest and tax (ebit) were also up 45% to €475m.

Damian Brett www.aircargonews.net