DUS Cargo builds up cargo traffic

DUS Cargo Logistics, the main cargo handler at Dusseldorf airport, is building up its cargo traffic. The airport continues to fulfil an increasing role as a main distribution centre for much of Northern Germany and is attracting several new carriers, whilst Lufthansa has started A340-300 service to the USA.

Egypt Air has commenced twice-weekly full freighter operations with A300-600F equipment. The route is Dubai-Dusseldorf-Cairo, where local regional cargo is loaded. The aircraft loads sea-air cargo from Dubai to Dusseldorf. Armavia, which started operations at Dusseldorf in May, operates A320 passenger flights from Yerevan in Armenia. This allows the weekly import of fish, especially fresh crayfish, which is much sought after in the region.

The Lufthansa wide bodied flights serving Newark, Chicago and Toronto, are generating a great deal of cargo but the route will change for the winter months to Miami, which is expected to attract even more traffic.

Gerton Hulsman, managing director of DUS Logistics, has clear objectives for future cargo traffic at Germany’s third largest airport. “Our company is one of seven profit centres of Dusseldorf Airport and handles the major slice of the cargo throughput. With so many other airports within a few hours drive, we have to keep on our toes to maintain our traffic, which means looking after our forwarders and attracting new customers. Giving that extra attention to customers and making extra effort to deliver high quality performance, are therefore our top priorities. Of course we are fortunate to be at the heart of major passenger routes, which means high belly hold capacity. With Lufthansa and Air Berlin/LTU both increasing routes including long haul and with carriers such as Emirates moving more than 15,000 tonnes each year, this traffic is very healthy.

“We are perfect for the medium sized aircraft such as B767, A300, A310 and A330s, which feed cargo to the region and on return, export locally sourced high value goods. So the catchment area for our main potential is the Mid-East, Africa and Indian sub-continent. Our speed on the ground due to lack of congestion and short distance to our warehouse, is another attraction and also if you consider the increasing reluctance of many big airports to accept all cargo flights, make freighter friendly airports such as Dusseldorf an easy choice for shippers, forwarders and airlines.”

Share this story