Air freight
Key Sector on an Efficiency Drive
It can save lives when organs or stem cell donations have to be transported very quickly. It makes it possible for urgently needed spare parts to be delivered from a long way away to broken down machines or to transport fresh foods around the world. Since the flows of goods are increasing worldwide, air freight will have to become more climate friendly.
Because transport by air is up to 20 times more expensive than transport by land, one thing is clear: the only things that should fly are those that absolutely must be flown. These include pharmaceuticals, or perishable goods such as fish, fruit and vegetables. And a plane is the most suitable means of transport for animals on longer routes. Accordingly, German air freight exports account of only 3 per cent of the tonnage of intercontinental trade, but more than 30 per cent of the value. Air freight transports high-value goods, which are vital in people’s everyday lives.
The Two-Column Principle
To operate as efficiently as possible, Lufthansa Cargo largely relies on two transport models: they either fly freight planes or make use of additional cargo capacities in passenger planes. This is especially the case on routes that have low demand for freight. This two-column principle creates efficiency and protects resources. Lufthansa Cargo serves around 300 destinations in 100 countries in this way.
However, the most important determining factor for low-emission flying is the fleet. Lufthansa Cargo relies on the Boeing 777F, which is around 20 per cent more efficient than the MD-11F being taken out of service and causes correspondingly lower CO₂ emissions. In addition, the company is making considerable investments in the Freight Centre at Frankfurt Airport. To save even more kerosene in future, Lufthansa Cargo is replacing its standard containers with lighter versions. It is also investigating whether loading aids made of wood can be replaced by lighter materials
made of recycled cardboard fibre reinforced composites.
Advancing Digitisation Together
Germany’s export industry needs efficient air freight. Modern, lean processes are just as key to this as digital interfaces are – along the wealth creation chain and in interaction with the authorities. With a “Digital Test Field Air Freight”, the federal government together with companies, could dauntlessly tackle air freight logistics together and shape the future.
Lufthansa Cargo still Flying to China
Due to the coronavirus China is largely cut off from international aviation. The Lufthansa Group has also temporarily halted all passenger flights to the Chinese mainland. However, Lufthansa Cargo’s freight planes are still flying. As a precautionary measure, the planes make a stopover in Novosibirsk, Siberia, and change crews. This ensures that the pilots don’t have to leave the cockpit in China while still adhering to rest times.
Increasingly, relief supplies, such as face masks, protective suits and laboratory supplies are being carried. In addition, as always: urgent spare parts and machines and, among other things, sensitive pharma-ceuticals – in other words, everything a national economy urgently requires to function properly.
Further content on the topic
Clip
You Can’t Do Without Air Freight
All of the key facts about air freight in 1:51 minutes.
Report
Aviation and the Economy in 2019
Overview of foreign trade volumes of air freight, value and quantity of goods, exporting and importing countries as well as the groups of goods transported by air freight.
