Austrian Lufthansa Cargo kicks off operations

FRANKFURT, Germany — Austrian Lufthansa Cargo, a new Vienna-based subsidiary of Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo, kicked off operations July 1. 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.

“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,” said Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa Cargo chairman and CEO. “Staff from both companies have worked hard on shaping cooperation 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.”

Since July 1, Austrian Lufthansa Cargo has been responsible for 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.

Officials say the new subsidiary will optimize freight traffic flows through the Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna hubs, and bundle the strengths of both partners in the freight business.

Lufthansa Cargo has a 74% stake in the new company; Austrian Airlines holds 26%. The company employs around 120 people.