LH Cargo subsidiary again significantly increased its business volume in 2004.

Lufthansa Cargo Charter Agency GmbH can look back on a gratifying financial year in 2004. Despite the market environment, the Lufthansa Cargo subsidiary again succeeded in significantly boosting its business volume last year. The company is thus continuing on the success path it has charted ever since its founding.

In 2004 Lufthansa Cargo Charter achieved total sales of $56 million, representing a 28%increase in business volume year-on-year. One of the main reasons for this positive result, in the company's view, is the steady expansion of its global sales activities. With the opening of its Competence Center in Hong Kong, LH Charter gained new customers and generated new business, particularly in the Asian market. Thanks to the new facility, LH Charter offers direct access for its clients on three continents and is thus available 24/7 worldwide. In the 2004 business year, Lufthansa Cargo Charter Agency handled 516 charter orders, compared with 387 in the previous year. Nearly all the well-known aircraft types ' from the Learjet to the Russian Antonov AN124 ' were deployed.

"In spite of many difficult conditions we have continued to expand our market position," Managing Director Christian Fink points out, referring to the 35.4%increase in new customers. This development clearly sets the company apart from the general trend in the air cargo charter market over the past year. Despite growing demand, the sector has had to contend with a disproportionate rise in available capacity on scheduled flights, which palpably reduced the demand for air cargo charters.

Early on, in order to offset this negative trend, Lufthansa Cargo Charter geared in always offering its clients attractive charter solutions. Customers benefit from the unique combination of an independent charter agency backed up by the capacity and performance capability of the Lufthansa Cargo fleet and the service provided at the more than 250 Lufthansa Cargo stations worldwide. The new motto "Uplift ' no limit in time and space" also gave fresh momentum to Lufthansa Cargo Charter's customer acquisition activities in 2004.

"Our result shows us that we embarked on the right path ' and we will continue along it," says Christian Fink. In the current business year the Charter team is again aiming for double-digit growth. To this end, the company will pursue the global expansion of its sales activities and will consistently develop its core competencies in the charter market.