Lufthansa Cargo has expanded its cargo capacity in cooperation with Deutsche Post DHL this seasonal period to meet high demand over the festive weeks between Germany and the USA for airmail and e-commerce freight.
From 19 November until 3 January, MD-11 carrying 60 tonnes is taking off each week on the Frankfurt – New York/JFK route. The Atlantic will be criss-crossed seven times in total – exclusively for DHL.
The charter flights are mostly loaded with gifts and e-commerce shipments but also Christmas messages and greeting cards.
Lufthansa Cargo executive board member for product and sales, Dorothea von Boxberg said: “There is great demand in the run-up to Christmas for our Airmail/eCommerce product in particular for short-notice deadline-sensitive shipments.
“Therefore, we have ramped up capacity exclusively for our close partner Deutsche Post AG in recent years already. This year, for the first time, we have even been able to provide the support of seven charters during the Christmas period due to growing parcel volumes.”
Boxberg added the extra flights allow Lufthansa Cargo and Deutsche Post DHL to ensure that gifts make it under the tree on time. Furthermore, this supports many SMEs and e-commerce platforms in Germany in particular in gaining access to the major global players at the busiest time of the year.
Deutsche Post DHL senior vice president for international operations, Thomas Kling said: “During the Christmas period especially, it is particularly important to us that we ensure excellent reliability in global transport so that our customers receive the goods they ordered and presents from family and friends on time for the holidays.
On the important connection to the USA especially, daily shipment volumes are currently a third higher than in other months. “This trend shows once again how important mail still is for connecting people and companies in different countries,” said Kling.
