Lufthansa Cargo expands its freighter fleet significantly

Lufthansa Cargo's freighter fleet is to grow by two-thirds, from 15 units at present to 25 aircraft by the end of the current decade.
The acquisition of 10 additional freighters, including 7 of the new-generation Boeing B777-8F, is the largest fleet investment in the company's history to date.
Neither LH Cargo nor U.S. manufacturer Boeing are providing financial details.
The Boeing order means that plans to purchase the Airbus A350F are off the table. The A350F option was recently indicated to CargoForwarder Global by Lufthansa Cargo CEO Dorothea von Boxberg.

The order consists of different tranches, basically including three current-technology B777F and seven future B777-8 freighters. The first of the three (traditional) B777F is expected to join the carrier’s fleet as early as July. It will be acquired on the used market, announced LH Cargo. Two brand-new production Tripple Seven freighter aircraft will follow at a later date, is stated in a release. Simultaneously, an existing lease agreement for two B777F, which runs until 2024, will be prolonged through 2031.

More capacity, less CO2 emissions
The core element of the order is the acquisition of 7 new-generation B777-8F, a technically enhanced freighter version of the B777F. Lufthansa Cargo is the second carrier to order Boeing’s upcoming flagship freighter, following Qatar Airways‘ purchase of 34 B777-8F which includes options for additional 16 units. LH Cargo expects deliveries of their future Triple Seven freighters to take place between 2027 and 2030, provided Boeing meets the timeframe for manufacturing the aircraft. This is anything but certain, as evidenced by the years-long delay of the B777-9 passenger aircraft.

According to the frame maker the B777-8F has a range of 8,167 kilometers (4410 nautical miles) and offers a maximum payload of 118 metric tons per flight. This is 17 percent more volume compared to the existing 777F version. It is powered by two GE9x engines from General Electric Aviation, which consume significantly less kerosene than current jets, again reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Sign of confidence
"We are very pleased that we have been able to set an important course for our future and the growth of Lufthansa Cargo with the decision to order ten additional widebody freighters. We can offer our customers significantly more capacity in the short and long term, and also ensure that we operate the most modern and efficient freighters in their class. The investments in the next freighter generation, [is] another important step on our way to CO2-neutral air freight. These major investments in Lufthansa Cargo are a sign of confidence in the future development of the air freight market and in the role that Lufthansa Cargo will continue to play in it," emphasized Ms. von Boxberg while announcing the deal.

In addition, the carrier points out that it offers the market the maindeck capacity of two A321 freighters on short and medium haul routes and the belly capacity of passenger aircraft operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings Discover.

Over at Lufthansa’s Frankfurt headquarters the executive board yesterday (09MAY22) announced the acquisition of seven Boeing 787-9 passenger aircraft. With this step, the airline intends to fill the capacity gaps created by the delayed delivery of the Boeing 777-9, originally scheduled for delivery in 2023, currently advised in 2025. The lower deck cargo capacity of this pax variant is revealed by the U.S. producer to be 154.4 cubic meters.

VIE and LH Cargo seal handling agreement

As announced on 10 May, LH Cargo and Vienna Airport signed a cooperation agreement aimed at handling and storing temperature critical shipments flown by Austrian Airlines. The carrier is a member of the Lufthansa Group and has its freight business fully managed by LH Cargo. Responsible for the task is the Vienna Airport Pharma Handling Center (VPHC) that offers storage facilities for items requiring 2-8 degree Celsius and 15-25 Centigrade.

Thanks to Vienna's geographically advantageous position in Europe, pharma shipments processed there can reach 23 European countries within 36 hours after arrival.

"As a hub also for medical goods our Vienna Airport Pharma Handling Center proved its crisis safety and reliability during the Corona period. Even spontaneous charter flights with short times to prepare but high tonnage were handled quickly and smoothly at all times," pronounces Michael Zach, VP Sales & Finance, Ground Handling & Cargo Operations at Vienna Airport. The executive went on to say: "The fact that Lufthansa Cargo, one of the world's largest air freight companies, has decided to have its pharmaceutical shipments handled by us is confirmation of our high quality and further strengthens Vienna Airport as a pharma hub for Central and Eastern Europe," he stated. 

Heiner Siegmund

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