Lufthansa Cargo at transport logistic: Europe's leading network, ITA Airways cooperation, smart industry solutions, “Enabling Global Business”

• Lufthansa Cargo has the leading network to, from, and within Europe, connecting more than 350 destinations worldwide.
• Through its cooperation with ITA Airways, the company is gradually expanding its global belly capacity by almost 20 percent and adds Rome as its fifth European hub.
• Additional A321F station in Beirut.

Lufthansa Cargo is strengthening its position as one of the world's leading air cargo airlines by expanding its network and continuously enhancing its industry-specific logistics services and solutions. During the transport logistic trade fair in Munich today, the company shared insights into its new cooperation for marketing ITA Airways' cargo capacity and presented its logistics expertise tailored to the needs of key industries.

“Our strength as part of the Lufthansa Group, Europe's largest airline group, combined with our quality service, reliability and expertise in transporting all types of cargo – whether aircraft engines, insulin or microchips – creates a unique value offering for our customers,” said CEO Ashwin Bhat. By doing so, the company fulfills its mission of “Enabling Global Business” and connects international markets, economies and trading partners. “In a constantly evolving world, a large and flexible air freight network ensures rapid responsiveness and opens up growth opportunities – the basis of successful globalization.”

The leading network to, from, and within Europe

With its leading network to, from, and within Europe, Lufthansa Cargo connects all major economic centers and enables companies of all kinds to access the global market. This is ensured by five cargo hubs – Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Brussels, and, from mid-June, Rome as well as the capacities of eight airlines with more than 350 destinations and over 7,500 weekly flights worldwide. In addition to the capacity of its own cargo aircraft fleet and the AeroLogic joint venture, the company markets the belly capacities of Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, SunExpress, and soon also ITA Airways. An extensive Road Feeder Service (RFS) with over 115 destinations in Europe complements the airline's route network on the ground.

New partnership with ITA Airways

Lufthansa Cargo recently announced that it will market and manage the cargo capacity of ITA Airways, opening a new chapter in its network strategy. The first flights from São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires to Rome will take off on June 16. “This will enable us to offer our customers even more flexible and reliable freight connections to and from Europe,” says Bhat. “At the same time, this partnership strengthens our ability to support global trade and our customers through expanded reach and shorter transit times.” Subject to regulatory approvals, Lufthansa Cargo will gradually take over the marketing of ITA Airways' entire continental and intercontinental freight network. This cooperation will increase Lufthansa Cargo's global belly capacity by almost 20 percent, which corresponds to a theoretical expansion of its fleet by three freighters.

The company's flexible network management enables it to respond quickly and flexibly to market developments and changing customer requirements. The latest additions to the network include the direct service launched last year with a Boeing 777 freighter from Brussels to Chicago, primarily for the pharmaceutical industry, the integration of Munich into the A321 cargo network, and a new transpacific service from Ho Chi Minh City to Los Angeles to meet growing demand.

Lufthansa Cargo adds Beirut (BEY) to its A321F network

On July 3, 2025, Lufthansa Cargo will add Beirut Airport (BEY) to its short- and medium-haul network in the Middle East. The connection will be offered once a week on Thursdays with flight number LH8354/LH8355 from Frankfurt (FRA) to the Lebanese capital. With the new station and the belly capacities of the Lufthansa Group, Lufthansa Cargo will offer its customers connections to over 50 destinations in the Middle East and Africa, including six freighter stations. The air cargo carrier is thus strengthening resilient supply chains in the region.

Supporting key global industries

In addition to its dense global network, Lufthansa Cargo also presented its expertise and specialized freight solutions for industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals & healthcare, semiconductors, and aviation. “From meeting special temperature requirements and ensuring the safety of valuable and sensitive products to the on-time delivery of production and spare parts, our customers can rest assured that their cargo will arrive safely and intact at its destination,” said Frank Bauer, who will take up the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) on July 1.

In 2024, for example, around 850 tons of the “Emergency” product were transported with the highest priority and unlimited access to freight capacity, representing an increase of around 190 tons compared to 2023 – because “Enabling Global Business” also means being reliable for its customers when it is particularly urgent. In addition, over 130,000 shipments were handled at the highest speed td.Zoom, an increase of almost 40 percent compared to the previous year. “With the extensive know-how of our employees and our many years of experience in handling and transporting air freight, we create efficient processes, maximum transparency in shipment tracking and sustainable growth for our customers,” said Bauer.

Insights into four key industries

This is underpinned by practical insights into four key industries:

• Automotive industry: Demand for battery and electronic components is growing by over 4 percent annually until 2030. Air freight offers the fastest, most reliable connections for entire vehicles, just-in-time production and spare parts, and prototypes. Lufthansa Cargo works with OEMs, suppliers, and freight forwarders to develop customized transport models ranging from express connections to temperature-controlled solutions and ensures transparency through real-time tracking.
• Pharma & Healthcare: In 2024, Lufthansa Cargo transported around 87,000 tons of pharmaceutical products, equivalent to the capacity of around 845 Boeing 777 freighters. The CEIV-certified Pharma Hubs Frankfurt and Munich form a strong basis for handling, supplemented by 30 CEIV Pharma stations worldwide and six GDP-certified locations. Innovations such as the 24/7 Pharma Control Tower and the smartULD system for real-time temperature data increase transparency and service quality for customers.
• Semiconductors: The industry is growing from around USD 627 billion today to up to USD 1.2 trillion by 2030. Lufthansa Cargo has been a trusted air freight partner for the semiconductor industry for over 30 years and stands for the highest quality standards in the handling of sensitive goods. From the transport of heavy, sensitive production machinery and temperature- and humidity-sensitive lenses to valuable microchips, Lufthansa Cargo offers specialized services and has developed sustainable container solutions for the B777F fleet in cooperation with customers.
• Aviation: Lufthansa Cargo offers two core services for the aviation industry: the safe transport of oversized, sensitive components such as engines – this is where the specialized Loadability Team for “AC Engine Movements” comes into play, which coordinated and accompanied over 1,000 turbine movements in 2024 (+20 percent compared to 2023). The company also offers high-priority spare parts logistics with td.Flash and td.Zoom for time-critical deliveries. The offering is complemented by dangerous goods transport in accordance with IATA guidelines, real-time tracking, and seamless processes to keep unscheduled downtime to a minimum.

With its extensive network and tailor-made quality services and solutions for a wide range of industries, Lufthansa Cargo offers its customers maximum planning reliability, speed, and transparency, directly contributing to their success, thereby “Enabling Global Business”.