LUG aircargo handling at Air Cargo Africa 2015

Patrik Tschirch, Managing Director of LUG aircargo handling GmbH, one of the most innovative, independent ground service companies in Germany, will be attending the forthcoming Air Cargo Africa 2015. “We will use this event to further strengthen our close relationship with South African Airways (SAA) Cargo. The airline has been our loyal partner for many years, and we are delighted to continue serving this leading African cargo carrier”, says Patrik Tschirch. “We are expecting moderate growth in air cargo handling volumes in 2015. It is thus our aim to sign up some new customers for our stations in Munich and Frankfurt this year.”

The cargo division of the South African national carrier has been a customer of LUG at Frankfurt/Main airport for over 20 years. Since July 1, 2012 the GHA also serves SAA Cargo at Munich airport. The airline offers daily flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Johannesburg with A330 and A340 aircraft. “We handle over 12,500 tons p.a. for SAA Cargo, outgoing especially car parts and components, incoming mainly skins and leather products,” says Patrik Tschirch.  South African Airways, founded in 1934 and headquartered at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, is one of Africa’s leading airlines and also an important cargo carrier. It serves some 42 destinations and transports over 130,000 tons of freight annually. SAA Cargo markets belly space of SAA’s passenger flights for cargo carriage and also runs a fleet of four dedicated cargo aircraft (for medium and short haul). It leverages the passenger network, interlines, partnerships and its freighters in accessing key markets to provide customers with wider reach and seamless connectivity worldwide.

“SAA offers fast logistics solutions for small and medium sized consignments from Frankfurt and Munich to South Africa and 24 destinations in the Sub Saharan region. The Republic of South Africa is Germany’s most important economic partner on the African continent with a trading volume totalling EUR 13.3 billion in 2013”, says Patrik Tschirch.  LUG is continuously investing in service quality improvements, staff training, warehousing facilities, and IT. Having always operated a strong room LUG recently opened a new VAL Air Cargo Centre on its premises in the Cargo City South of Frankfurt International airport.  This state-of-the-art facility includes high security areas for loading and unloading vans and trucks, separate acceptance and delivery areas, a multi-door system, a ULD area including a 7,5 to weighbridge, secured areas for pick and pack as well as consolidation/deconsolidation, ULD build up and break down according to IATA regulations, a secured area for money processing, round the clock camera surveillance, explosive detectors, and 24/7 handling.