Air New Zealand, Lufthansa launch freighter service

Air New Zealand Cargo, in conjunction with Lufthansa Cargo, has launched a round the world freighter service.

“We have a strong relationship with Lufthansa on the passenger side of the business as partners in the Star Alliance and this new arrangement promises similar benefits to the cargo side of the business,” said Gary Toomey, Air New Zealand Ansett Australia Group president and chief executive officer.

The arrangement is expected to widen the markets that Air New Zealand can serve worldwide, including Malaysia, and will provide additional capacity in the US market for the airline.

Under the arrangement, Air New Zealand Cargo will have the majority of the capacity from the US and New Zealand, with lesser amounts from Frankfurt and Melbourne. The service uses MD11 freighters.

Services, operating three times a week from Frankfurt, started on March 28. They will provide continuing support for New Zealand importers and exporters to and from Germany, flying on a Frankfurt – US – Auckland – Melbourne – Malaysia route.

Routing details are New York (twice a week), or Chicago (once a week), Los Angeles, Papeete (technical stop), Auckland, Melbourne, Penang (twice a week) or Kuala Lumpur (once a week), Pakistan and Frankfurt.

Services will depart from Frankfurt on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings; and from Auckland on Friday, Saturday and Monday.