DHL Aviation and Lufthansa Cargo AG have initiated the operations of a new cargo carrier, “AeroLogic”.
DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo will each hold a 50% stake in AeroLogic, a new cargo airline based in Leipzig/Schkeuditz at Leipzig/Halle Airport. With the launch of this new cargo airline, the two partners will significantly strengthen their leadership position in air freight and the express delivery segment.
The new airline will begin operations next year.
During the opening ceremony, Carsten Spohr said:
– The AeroLogic brand is perfectly aligned with the aspirations and goals we have set for the carrier. It represents the culmination of a successful partnership that has existed for many years between DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo. The neutral brand symbolizes our offering of competent and competitive transport services across the entire air cargo industry.
Charles Graham, CEO of DHL Aviation, expressed great satisfaction with the pace at which the airline was developed and prepared for launch. – The signing of the lease agreement for the Boeing 777-200LRF aircraft is a significant milestone. – said Graham.
– We chose the 777 model because it meets our rigorous requirements for the highest quality of operations and minimization of environmental impact. The delivery of the first four aircraft is planned for 2009. – This will allow us to gradually build the AeroLogic route network. Four more freighters will be added in 2010, and another one a year later. We also plan to add a backup aircraft in 2012.
Both directors are convinced that the new venture will benefit from the ongoing growth in intercontinental traffic. New management has been appointed to lead AeroLogic. The experienced team is led by joint CEOs: Dr. Thomas Papke (formerly Lufthansa Cargo) and Thomas Pusch (formerly DHL Express).
Dr. Thomas Papke, CEO of AeroLogic, stated: – We have created a strong and experienced management team, thanks to which we will be able to meet the challenges of running an air cargo carrier and achieve the goal of joining the top five cargo carriers in Europe.
– Another important stage of preparations for the launch of the first AeroLogic freighter flights has begun. – said Thomas Pusch, CEO of AeroLogic. – We encourage pilots to apply for jobs and join our new venture via the website www.aerologic.aero. We are looking for about 200 pilots and can offer them a very attractive working environment, competitive conditions, and the opportunity to fly routes that, in addition to major Asian cities, cover all of North America. Our advantage is also the most technologically advanced cargo aircraft in the world.
AeroLogic GmbH currently employs about 20 people. It is expected that AeroLogic will generate a total of about 250 new jobs, of which about 200 will be for flight crew. By 2012, the AeroLogic fleet will include eleven leased Boeing 777-200LRF aircraft, with the first four scheduled for delivery at the beginning of 2009. AeroLogic’s transport capacity will be used primarily by DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo. Both partners will also be responsible for sales and warehouse operations. Operations are planned according to the requirements of both partners: on weekdays, the freighters will fly to Asian ports in the express delivery network operated by DHL. On weekends, they will support Lufthansa Cargo services. For the parent companies’ customers, AeroLogic will mean greater capacity, more flexibility, an expanded network, and improved delivery times.