Lufthansa Cargo to operate two new B777 freighters

July 06, 2018: Lufthansa Group’s decision-making bodies have approved cargo airline Lufthansa Cargo’s operation of two brand-new Boeing 777F freighters.

The airline ordered two brand-new Boeing 777F freighters in May of this year. The question of who would manage and operate these was left open initially. The jets are expected to be ferried from the Boeing plant in Seattle to their future base in Frankfurt am Main in February and March 2019 already.

“This major investment in the future of Lufthansa Cargo has been made possible by last year’s outstanding results. This is a fitting reward for the tremendous efforts of all Lufthansa Cargo employees and emphasises that we have taken the right course at an early stage,” said Peter Gerber, CEO and chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo.

The new aircraft will enable a modernisation of the fleet and are expected to replace MD-11F freighters in the long term.

Since the air freight market is performing well at the moment, Lufthansa Cargo will continue to operate some of the MD-11Fs earmarked for retirement for the time being so as to provide customers with more valuable cargo capacity as needed.

“This allows us to fully participate in the market growth but respond flexibly to signs of change,” said Gerber.

“Accordingly, we will decide on when to phase out individual MD-11Fs based on the market situation. Our strategic goal remains to operate a solely B777F fleet going forward.”