AeroLogic Grows Freighter Fleet

When AeroLogic first took to the skies in June 2009, its fleet was composed of eight Boeing 777 freighters. From weekday one to five, AeroLogic mainly flies within the express network of DHL Express. On the weekends, however, the aircraft serves Lufthansa Cargo’s global network.

Broadened tasks
This original business model changed slightly after AeroLogic got its 9th Triple Seven in 2017 followed by a 10th unit shortly after, with both freighters flying solely within DHL’s network.

Obviously, an attractive business seen by LH Cargo’s decision to have one of their B777Fs operated by AeroLogic. Practically this means that AeroLogic provides the cockpit personnel, with the aircraft operating exclusively within LH Cargo’s network. “This decision including the staffing issue is in accord with our own cockpit crews who fully support this step,” confirmed CEO Peter Gerber of Lufthansa Cargo when asked by CargoForwarder Global.

Extended scope of activities
His airline’s step enlarges the competencies of AeroLogic that develops to a three-pronged platform by firstly operating eight of their B777Fs according to the original capacity sharing model agreed between DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo a decade ago, covering both stakeholders’ networks and transport demands.

Secondly, two Triple Sevens are flown entirely on behalf of DHL Express, followed by a third mission next January, when the Lufthansa Cargo leased B777F painted in AeroLogic colors will be deployed exclusively on the cargo crane’s network.

Favourable market outlook
With eleven Boeing 777Fs belonging to AeroLogic soon,” we will operate one of the world’s most modern and efficient freighter fleets. This will strengthen our position as an attractive employer at the heart of Germany and ensure flexible additional capacity for our partners,” said Wolfgang Raebiger, Managing Director of Aerologic GmbH.
In this respect, AeroLogic managers are on the outlook for additional pilots to operate their growing fleet of Triple Seven freighters.

Lufthansa Cargo CEO Peter Gerber added to this that “this important investment underscores our long association with our Frankfurt and Leipzig Airport bases.”

His airline’s upping of transport capacity comes amid a dynamic and booming online market for e-commerce goods showing double-digit growth but also lasting demand for flying pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, mechanical engineering, medical technology, consumer goods or general cargo. This trend is expected to continue in the years ahead, provided there aren’t any major political and economic upheavals.
According to the U.S. manufacturer’s list price, a brand-new Boeing 777 production freighter costs US$325.7 million. However, in case of new orders, substantial discounts are common, granted particularly renowned customers operating large Boeing fleets.

Heiner Siegmund