AeroLogic was set up to offer highly reliable and efficient air transport services on the Europe'Asia trade lane, which is expected to grow by approximately five percent annually in a mid term perspective. The airline will initially serve the express routes Leipzig ' Bahrain ' Singapore ' Delhi ' Leipzig on weekdays and the cargo routes Leipzig ' Tashkent ' Hong Kong ' Tashkent ' Leipzig on weekends. By 2010, the airline will gradually expand the network to offer new direct connections to most of Asia's major metropolitan areas.
AeroLogic will operate with eight leased brand new B777F freighters, the first four of which are expected to be delivered this year. Due to its advanced fuel-saving and environmental friendly engine and wing technology, the B777F is the most modern wide-body long-range freighter currently available. It has a maximum payload capacity of 103 tons and can fly distances of over 9000 km, which enables non-stop flights from AeroLogic's home base Leipzig, Germany, to key Asian growth markets, thereby reducing the running time of shipments.
'The new airline shows a strong commitment of both partners to extend their services for their customers and to establish a new strong global player in the industry,' said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, chief executive officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. 'In light of an inevitably recovering market, the strengthening of vital trade lanes through the cost-efficient shared use of the most modern freighter aircraft currently available must be viewed as a smart investment,' said Frank Appel, chief executive officer of Deutsche Post DHL. 'We are making available to our customers the most efficient air freight capacity in the market, while at the same time proving that we are serious about our continued commitment to improving the group's environmental footprint, in line with our GoGreen strategy and the announced 30 per cent carbon efficiency improvement target by 2020,' Appel added.
Cargo capacities will be marketed individually by the two partners In addition to the Europe - Asia routes, in the future it will also serve Lufthansa Cargo's EU-North America routes. The first commercial flight of AeroLogic is scheduled for June 29, 2009.
Charlie Dobbie, Executive Vice President Global Network and Operations at DHL Express: 'Through the new cargo airline, DHL Express underlines its commitment to providing highly reliable and industry leading services to its customers. Using the most modern technology available, DHL Express is able to further expand its global lead in the Time Definite International express business.'
Carsten Spohr, CEO Lufthansa Cargo: 'The B777F is regarded as the most environmentally-friendly freighter, because this aircraft type sets itself apart with its low fuel consumption and a low noise level in comparison with other aircraft of this size. It is also the most modern and efficient aircraft currently available for long-haul intercontinental freight flights. We are proud to have it in our fleet.'
Thomas Pusch, Managing Director AeroLogic: 'Building up an airline from scratch in a time like this requires the will to take unconventional approaches,' said Thomas Pusch, Managing Director AeroLogic. 'For example, we needed to acquire the aircraft at a time when there were actually none available. In the end we achieved this through an innovative leasing agreement, which is beneficial for all parties involved.'
Thomas Papke, Managing Director AeroLogic: 'Setting up AeroLogic's operation was a challenging task, as the freighter version of the B777 is a brand new aircraft type and we are the first airline to operate this aircraft under a German AOC. We have been lucky to find the righ
