Austrian Lufthansa Cargo JV starts handling freight

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES and Lufthansa Cargo have sealed their cooperation with the launch of operations by their new, Vienna-based, Austrian Lufthansa Cargo subsidiary.

The new company is now marketing all freight capacities of both airlines in Austria. Freight activities in all other countries have been amalgamated under the management of Lufthansa Cargo.

Said Lufthansa Cargo chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr: "Through the successful integration of Austrian Cargo, our joint customers will profit from extensive connections in the eastern Europe growth region as well as access to the entire product portfolio and electronic booking channels of Lufthansa Cargo," he said.

"Staff from both companies have worked hard on shaping co-operation between the two airlines in recent months. We intend to expand our position in Austria in the long term, increase our market share and strengthen the Vienna hub. The airport shall become a centre of operations in future between eastern and western Europe."

The new cargo carrier has certified the station in Vienna as a security hub following an audit, which will be subject to regular inspection.

Over the past few years, Lufthansa Cargo has certified the stations at Frankfurt, Munich, New York, Chicago and Shanghai as security hubs.

Austrian Lufthansa Cargo has started handling joint freight activities in the Austrian market and the expansion of Vienna Airport into a further hub in the network of Lufthansa Cargo. The local service offices in Graz, Salzburg and Linz will remain in place.

The new subsidiary is expected to optimise freight traffic flows through the Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna hubs, and bundle the strengths of both partners in the freight business, a joint statement said.

Lufthansa Cargo has a 74 per cent stake in the new company, while Austrian Airlines holds 26 per cent. The company employs around 120 people.
(Source:www.schednet.com)