Lufthansa Cargo and Austrian Cargo to merge

FROM 1 July, Lufthansa Cargo and Austrian Airlines have agreed to merge their global operations. Under the new agreement, both companies’ global distribution activities and the flow of cargo traffic through their hubs at Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna will be “harmonised”.

In future, the two companies will jointly route their cargo traffic through the Vienna hub and boost freight flows. They will also integrate their freight handling and distribution activities in Austria. In all other countries worldwide, freight activities will in future be amalgamated under the aegis of Lufthansa Cargo.

Carsten Spohr, chief executive officer and chairman of Lufthansa Cargo, said: “Vienna Schwechat will become a central European hub for Lufthansa Cargo comparable to our German hubs at Frankfurt and Munich. Thanks to Austrian’s excellent route network, Lufthansa Cargo customers will also be able to take advantage of direct flights to destinations in all corners of the globe.”

Dr. Andreas Bierwirth, chief commercial officer Austrian Airlines, added: “This marks a further step in the reorganisation of Austrian Airlines. Our cargo business will benefit from the new structure. We will lower our costs and improve our product portfolio. At the same time, we will be able in future to provide our customers with a globe-spanning network and the extensive product portfolio of the world’s largest air cargo alliance.”