Lufthansa Adds New Airbus A321 Freighter Destinations
Lufthansa Cargo[1] has bolstered its A321 freighter network with the addition of three European destinations – Athens, Milan and Larnaca. The cargo division of German airline giant Lufthansa now serves 12 European destinations and operates over 50 weekly flights with its A321Fs.
Lufthansa adds to A321F network
The airline’s short and medium-haul European cargo network will broaden its scope as of April 12 with the addition of Athens (ATH), Milan (MXP) and Larnaca (LCA). There will be two weekly flights to Larnaca in a combined routing with Athens, along with a weekly service to Milan.
Ashwin Bhat, Chief Commercial Officer at Lufthansa Cargo, commented,
“With Larnaca, Athens and Milan, we have now added further very promising destinations to our route network. We want to expand our presence with our well-known service and product quality both in the fast-growing e-commerce segment and in the field of individual transport solutions according to customer needs.” With two more A321Fs set to join the cargo airline this summer, it notes that adjustments to its schedule are still in the planning stage and will be revealed in due time.
A year of A321F operations
It has been over a year since Lufthansa put its first Airbus A321[2] passenger-to-freighter (P2F[3]) into service.
The carrier has noted its delight with the capabilities of the freighter, which can offer fast and versatile cargo solutions both scheduled and charter.
Ashwin Bhat, Chief Commercial Officer at Lufthansa Cargo, commented, “We look back with satisfaction on the first year of A321 operations and are delighted with the positive response and increasing demand from our customers. All signs are pointing to growth at Lufthansa Cargo.”
Lufthansa Cargo operated its first A321F revenue flight[4] on March 15th, 2022, flown by D-AEUC, before adding its second converted freighter[5] (D-AEUA) in September. The cargo airline’s narrowbody fleet will double in size by late summer with the addition of two more A321Fs, taking it to four in total – the efficient twin-engine offers up to a 28-tonne payload, with 14 pallet and container positions on the main deck and ten on the lower deck.
Cargo growth continues
Along with its two A321 freighters, Lufthansa Cargo operates a sizable fleet of 16 Boeing 777Fs[6], along with belly capacity in Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings Discover and SunExpress aircraft. Its network encompasses around 300 destinations in over 100 countries – the cargo division is very optimistic about what 2023 holds[7], with key innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) and enhanced sustainability measures beginning to bear fruit.
One of the airline’s most recent innovations involves equipping its 777F fleet with ‘Sharkskin,’[8] a surface film that mimics the structure of shark skin to enhance aerodynamic performance. Its first aircraft with this fascinating technology flew in February, with Lufthansa planning to gradually fit its entire 777F fleet with Sharkskin in the next year. How do you think the Airbus A321F ranks compared to other narrowbody freighters?
Let us know your insights in the comments.
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Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying
Lufthansa Cargo[9]
IATA/ICAO Code:LH/GECAirline Type:Cargo AirlineHub(s):Frankfurt AirportYear Founded:1977Airline Group:Lufthansa GroupCEO:Dorothea von BoxbergCountry:Germany
Photo: Tom Boon | Simple FlyingReferences
- ^ Lufthansa Cargo (simpleflying.com)
- ^ Airbus A321 (simpleflying.com)
- ^ P2F (simpleflying.com)
- ^ operated its first A321F revenue flight (simpleflying.com)
- ^ adding its second converted freighter (simpleflying.com)
- ^ Boeing 777Fs (simpleflying.com)
- ^ very optimistic about what 2023 holds (simpleflying.com)
- ^ equipping its 777F fleet with ‘Sharkskin,’ (simpleflying.com)
- ^ Lufthansa Cargo (simpleflying.com)