Lufthansa Cargo Celebrates 30 Years: Key Achievements and Future Plans

Thirty years ago, on November 30, 1994, the company Lufthansa Cargo was established, laying the groundwork for significant growth and innovation over the last three decades.

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1994 – 2004: In its early years, the cargo business expanded with 737-300F, DC-8-73F aircraft, and later 747-200 and MD-11F freighters. The digitalization of logistics processes began, offering products and solutions to meet customer needs. Additionally, the company performed its first round-the-world flight in partnership with Air New Zealand and created the world’s first global cargo alliance, WOW, in collaboration with SAS Cargo and Singapore Airlines.

2005 – 2014: This period saw modernization and expansion. The cargo aircraft fleet was updated with more fuel-efficient models. AeroLogic was founded in collaboration with DHL Express to expand into the long-haul market. Additionally, the Frankfurt Animal Lounge and the Pharma Hub Frankfurt were inaugurated.

In 2013, the airline began a partnership with the «Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V.» alliance to provide faster support in crisis situations. That same year, the cargo aircraft fleet was modernized again: the first of five B777Fs was introduced during a major launch event.

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2015 – 2024: In recent years, the company has observed an increase in digitalization, service expansion, and updates to its fleet and hubs. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the dynamics of the global market. The airline played a key role in mobilizing vital supply chains, distributing vaccines and masks during the health emergency. As a result, even passenger aircraft were temporarily converted into freighters, known as «preighters.»

During the fall, in collaboration with DB Schenker, the world’s first carbon dioxide emission-free freighter rotation was conducted. In 2021, the last MD-11 freighter was retired from the fleet, leaving only B777F models in operation. The following year, short- and medium-haul routes were added to the network using A321 freighters.

This enabled the inauguration of 13 new stations worldwide in 2023. In 2024, the first operation with A321 freighters was conducted from the Munich hub. Additionally, the company added a transpacific service to its schedule, establishing for the first time a direct connection between Vietnam and the United States.