Lufthansa Cargo Strengthens Its Global Network

Lufthansa Cargo’s 2026 summer schedule entered into force on 29 March 2026. With the new season, significant updates have been implemented across destinations, flight frequencies, and overall network structure. The German air cargo carrier continues to focus on flexibility and operational reliability with a fleet consisting of 18 Boeing 777F aircraft for long-haul operations, complemented by four Airbus A321F aircraft serving intra-European and African connections.

Under the new summer schedule, Lufthansa Cargo plans to operate a total of up to 87 weekly flights to as many as 35 destinations worldwide.

Asia Remains a Priority Market

Asia continues to hold a priority position within Lufthansa Cargo’s network. The carrier operates up to 48 weekly flights to 17 destinations across the region. One of the most notable updates is the increase in transpacific flight frequency on the Ho Chi Minh City – Shanghai – Los Angeles route to two flights per week. The company highlights that it is currently the only carrier offering main-deck cargo capacity on the Vietnam–China corridor.

In addition, New Delhi will rejoin the cargo network starting in May with one weekly flight. With this addition, total weekly frequencies to India will reach six flights.

Expanded Connections Across the Americas, Europe, and Africa

From its Frankfurt hub, Lufthansa Cargo plans to operate 33 weekly flights to the Americas, serving 11 destinations in North America and four in South America. An additional flight will also be introduced on the Frankfurt – Toronto (YYZ) route during the summer season.

Within Europe and Africa, the carrier provides 33 weekly connections using A321F aircraft. Regularly operated services to Rome (FCO) and Algiers (ALG)—which have been in place since February—continue to form key components of the expanding network, operating via the Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

Network Expands to Six European Hubs

One of the most prominent strategic developments is Lufthansa Cargo’s expansion to six European hubs: Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Brussels, Rome, and Zurich. The inclusion of Zurich has been made possible through a deepened cooperation with Swiss WorldCargo.

This collaboration creates significant commercial and operational synergies between the two companies while enabling customers to access a more integrated and comprehensive product and service portfolio. As a result, customers of both carriers benefit from access to one of the most extensive cargo networks in Europe.

Integrated Cargo Capacity Within the Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa Cargo’s services are further supported by the cargo capacity provided through passenger aircraft operated by Lufthansa Group airlines. With contributions from Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa City Airlines, and SunExpress, cargo access is available to more than 350 destinations, supported by approximately 7,500 weekly flights.

With the new summer schedule, Lufthansa City Airlines also begins offering cargo capacity, enabling faster and more flexible responses to demand fluctuations.

Capacity Increases on Long-Haul Routes

Significant capacity enhancements are also planned on long-haul routes during the summer season. Lufthansa Airlines is implementing the following updates on Frankfurt-based services:

• St. Louis and Cape Town: 5 flights per week
• Rio de Janeiro and Raleigh/Durham: 6 flights per week
• Nairobi: Daily service
• Washington: 2 flights per day
• Minneapolis: 3 flights per week starting in April

From Munich, services to São Paulo and Johannesburg will continue with three weekly flights each.

Other Lufthansa Group airlines are also strengthening their networks as part of the summer schedule. ITA Airways is launching two daily flights between London Heathrow and Rome; Brussels Airlines is adding two weekly flights to Kilimanjaro and increasing Freetown services to six flights per week. Discover Airlines will offer year-round service to the Seychelles and increase Las Vegas flights to five per week. Austrian Airlines resumes daily flights to Los Angeles and adds daily service to Tokyo-Narita, while SunExpress expands its presence by increasing flight frequencies in the German and UK markets.

Source: Trasporto Europa