Lufthansa Cargo's LCCevolution: Frankfurt Hub Modernization Project in Full Swing

With its LCCevolution project, Lufthansa Cargo is pressing ahead with modernizing the Frankfurt hub: In August of this year, construction work began on the new, 40-meter-high tall high-bay warehouse, including the automated transport system and the first building modules in the north of Frankfurt Airport. In addition to the new building, the existing buildings and warehouses of the Lufthansa Cargo Center are to be upgraded and modernized or replaced by new buildings. Lufthansa Cargo is investing a total of almost 500 million euros in the major project, which is scheduled to be completed by 2030 and will cover an area of more than 70,000 square meters.

“With a throughput share of around 80 percent of Lufthansa Cargo’s global cargo volume, the Frankfurt hub plays a decisive role in the operational success of Lufthansa Cargo,” says Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. The modernization and new buildings will further improve turnaround times and increase efficiency at Lufthansa Cargo’s central location. “For our customers, this means faster handling speeds, easier transport processes and an improvement in service quality,” Bhat adds.

The implementation and detailed planning of the central construction measures for the next eight years will be carried out together with construction partner Ed. Zьblin AG of Frankfurt. “With Zьblin, we have gained an experienced expert in building construction and civil engineering who will support us with individual and customized solutions. We are delighted to be tackling the Lufthansa Group’s largest construction project together with Ed. Zьblin AG,” says Stefan Dьrr, head of the infrastructure program at Lufthansa Cargo and project manager of LCCevolution. In addition to Ed. Zьblin AG, the mechanical engineering company BLEICHERT Automation GmbH & Co. KG is a key partner in the construction of the high-bay warehouse. Furthermore, planning of the logistics systems for the large-scale project is being carried out with the expertise and support of io-consultants GmbH & Co. KG. The contract was successfully signed by all partners on November 21 at Frankfurt Airport.

The first parts of the automated transport system and the construction of the first two building modules are expected to be completed between 2023 and 2027. “A particular challenge of this project is the implementation of a complex construction project while the regular operation of the hub must be guaranteed 24/7, and the gradual improvement of the hub as the new elements are put into function,” explains Dietmar Focke, Chief Operations Officer at Lufthansa Cargo. Johannes Graf, Technical Director of Ed. Zьblin AG, adds: “The revitalization and renewal of the cargo hub at Frankfurt Airport gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our technical expertise at one of Europe’s largest transportation hubs. We are proud to be working with Lufthansa Cargo on this project from the planning phase through to construction. We would like to thank them for their partnership and constructive cooperation.”