New bridge for e-commerce: Lufthansa Cargo intensifies air freight between continental Europe and British Isles
Lufthansa Cargo has introduced the first converted Airbus A321 freighter on its medium-haul routes. The new aircraft was deployed on the air freight connection between Germany and the British Isles. It will move shipments mainly for the e-commerce industry.
On Tuesday, 15 March, Lufthansa Cargo officially put into operation the first converted Airbus A321 freighter. Being loaded with express freight and general cargo, the aircraft performed the maiden flight from Frankfurt to Dublin and then to Manchester. As a result, the airline has succeeded to boost air freight between continental Europe and the British Isles.
The new aircraft and the new air freight connection is a response of Lufthansa Cargo to the growing demand from the e-commerce industry. Besides the flights to Ireland and Britain, the German airline will gradually the A321 freighter to other medium-haul routes, namely to Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Malta, Tunis and Cairo. It will fly to the mentioned destinations two to three times a week from and to Frankfurt.
28 tonnes
Before 15 March, Lufthansa Cargo has been operating a fleet of 15 Boeing 777F freighters. The company’s first Airbus-made freighter (with the registration D-AEUC) was modified for faster loading pallets on the main deck. Within the conversion, it was equipped with a special roller system. It can transport 28 metric tonnes of freight for a distance of 3,500 kilometres. Up to 14 pallets and containers could be placed on the main deck and up to 10 units on the lower deck. The second converted A321 freighter will be introduced on medium-haul flights in late summer. Both aircraft will be operated under a wet-lease agreement by Lufthansa CityLine, each under Lufthansa Cargo’s flight number.