Lufthansa Cargo expands service at Hartsfield-Jackson
By DeAllous Smith

Lufthansa Cargo has increased capacity on its weekly, nonstop flights between Atlanta and Frankfurt, Germany. The carrier began using its new Boeing 777 freighter for this service on February 7.

Airport officials believe Lufthansa Cargo’s new 777 service will strengthen Atlanta’s position as one of the most important cargo hubs in North America.

“Lufthansa Cargo’s increased investment into the state of Georgia is further evidence of the Airport’s growing role in and reputation for offering an excellent value to cargo companies worldwide,” said Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta.

Lufthansa Cargo also operates an MD-11 freighter at the Airport. The Boeing 777 will carry larger items, such as generators and aircraft engines, that are too large for MD-11s. In fact, the new 777 transported its own spare engine on its inaugural flight to Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany.

“We’re definitely seeing a rise recently in cargo business to and from the Atlanta market,” said Warren Jones, Aviation development manager. “Hartsfield-Jackson offers a location that’s geographically desirable for both cargo carriers and freight forwarders who want to expand their global networks with lower operating costs.”

Thirteen all-cargo carriers operate at Hartsfield-Jackson. In 2009, Hartsfield-Jackson was honored as Air Cargo Week’s Airport of the Year, becoming the first U.S. airport to earn the top prize among the annual World Air Cargo Awards. It was the second major honor in 2009 for Hartsfield-Jackson’s cargo operation, which earlier received Air Cargo World magazine’s Award of Excellence for the best North American cargo operations in its category.