CARGOCONNECT-JANUARY2025 - Flipbook - Page 47
Future-Proo昀椀ng Actions:
Smart Technology, Agile
Capacity, Data-Driven
Strategies
To respond in an agile manner to unexpected
changes in demand, it remains key to 昀氀exibly
adjust capacity o昀昀erings. Aircraft, Crew,
Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) or wet
lease models can be one way to manage
uncertainty in the market. Additionally,
leveraging data intelligently to understand
trends and developments allows for more
informed decisions in areas such as pricing,
revenue management, and network planning.
Aircraft technology continues to have
the highest impact on cost economics. New
widebody long-range freighter types (both
new builds and conversions) will ensure
higher efficiencies in the coming years.
Besides, the industry is increasingly exploring
the potential of AI/ML/Big Data. E昀昀ective
application of these technologies will enhance
transparency and e昀케ciency of the whole
supply chains. Furthermore, innovations
like IoT and automation, particularly in
warehouse operations and maintenance,
will streamline handling processes.
Expanding Horizons:
Lufthansa Leading the
Way in Air Cargo
When it comes to strategy, we always relate
to our strong purpose of “Enabling Global
Business”. With this at the heart of everything
we do, our goal is to empower our customers’
success by o昀昀ering premium, innovative
solutions backed by a global presence. We
believe in the power of collaboration, not
only within the Lufthansa Cargo team but
also with our partners. Logistics is not
just a people-driven business; it’s a highly
dynamic one. It is therefore important for
us to continuously strengthen our “agility
muscle” as a company in order to quickly
adapt to changing market dynamics.
Together with partners across the entire
logistics chain, particularly forwarders,
as well as airports, handling agents, and
IT providers, we will continue working
on improving air cargo as a solution. For
instance, Lufthansa Cargo is actively supporting industry initiatives such as IATA ONE
Record (data standard) to drive progress in
digitalisation, bene昀椀ting all stakeholders,
including shippers.
New Routes and Direct
Connections for a
Dynamic Market
As mentioned, demand is likely to increase,
particularly from China. With rising volumes,
need for long-term capacity commitments,
such as charters or allotments, will also
grow. It will be interesting to see whether
new routes (beyond the typical China-to-US/
EU routes) and new players (apart from
current Chinese platforms) emerge. To
succeed in this evolving landscape, it will
be crucial to understand the speci昀椀c needs
of the market and adjust o昀昀ering accordingly, by adjusting networks or adding new
origin/destination airports (not necessarily
congruent to existing air cargo gateways).
For its winter schedule, Lufthansa Cargo
is o昀昀ering weekly rotation of a B777F freighter
connecting Frankfurt via Ho Chi Minh City
(SGN) with Los Angeles (LAX), before returning to its home hub in Frankfurt. This is
the cargo carrier’s first direct connection
from the Asian market to the US network,
providing customers with a faster, high-quality
connection between the two continents. By
expanding routes and direct connections,
Lufthansa Cargo is reinforcing its long-term
growth strategy in a dynamic market, further
demonstrating its commitment to “Enabling
Global Business”.
Available forecasts
for air cargo, as well
as economic/trade
development, indicate
further growth in the
coming year. To support
this growth, we will
enhance the accessibility
of our services through
both our digital sales
channels and online
marketplaces.
We are constantly
refining our network
to better serve our
customers, leveraging
both our dedicated
freighters and passenger
flights. Starting with the
winter 2024/25 schedule,
we have introduced a
new transpacific route
connecting Vietnam with
the US West Coast.
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