🎉✈️ Celebrating 30 years of Lufthansa Cargo! 🎉✈️
30 years ago, on 30 November 1994, #LufthansaCargo was registered as a joint stock corporation, setting the stage for incredible growth and innovation over the last three decades. As we reflect on our journey, we're excited to take you on a #throwbackthursday… uhm #throwbacksaturday trip down memory lane, highlighting some of the most memorable moments from our history.
1994 - 2004: The early years saw the expansion of our cargo fleet from 737-300F and DC-8-73F to 747-200 freighters and MD-11F. The digitization of logistics processes started, and as the first cargo airline we introduced innovative products and solutions customized to your needs. We also made history with our first round-the-world flight in cooperation with Air New Zealand and the launch of the first global cargo alliance, WOW, together with SAS Cargo and Singapore Airlines Cargo.
2005 - 2014: This decade was all about modernization and expansion. We upgraded our entire freighter fleet, spun off Jettainer for more efficient logistics, and founded AeroLogic together with DHL Express to expand our long-haul capacities. Not to mention, we opened the Frankfurt Animal Lounge and the largest hub for temperature-sensitive freight in Europe, our Pharma Hub Frankfurt. In 2013, the carrier entered into a partnership with the “Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V.” alliance to provide faster support in the event of a crisis. In the same year, the freighter fleet is modernized again – the first of five B777F joins the fleet with a big roll-in event.
2015 - 2024: Recent years have seen further digitization, expansion of services, and the modernization of our fleet and hubs.
In 2020, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic changed our world. We secured important supply chains and transported urgently needed vaccines and face masks. To do this, even passenger aircraft were temporarily converted into freighters – so-called “preighters”. In the fall, the world's first CO2 neutral freighter rotation takes place, in cooperation with DB Schenker. In 2021, the last MD-11 freighter leaves our fleet, which is then converted to an all-B777F fleet. In the following year, we add short- and medium-haul routes to the network with A321 freighters. This enables 13 new stations to be opened worldwide in 2023. In 2024 for the first time, A321 freighters are taking off from the Munich hub. In addition, we are reintroducing a trans-pacific flight to our schedule, connecting Vietnam directly with the USA for the first time.
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we're excited to look ahead to the next 30 years of Lufthansa Cargo, embracing new opportunities, technologies, and sustainable practices as we continue to #EnablingGlobalBusiness.