Lufthansa Cargo’s Boeing 777 freighters, with loading flaps measuring 3.15 meters by 3.72 meters, have transported a wide array of extraordinary cargo in 2024. From life-saving goods to heavy machinery and exotic animals, the airline’s fleet of 18 Boeing 777 freighters, the largest exclusive fleet of its kind, has covered around 300 destinations in over 100 countries.
Heavyweight Cargo
One of the heaviest shipments in 2024 was a 65-ton load for the automotive industry, transported from Viracopos, Brazil, to Frankfurt, and then to Malmö, Sweden. Additionally, a General Electric aircraft turbine, over 5 meters long and weighing 12 tons, was swiftly transported from Beijing to Frankfurt in November. The turbine required precise handling and was secured with 50 tension belts during the flight.
Animal Transports
Lufthansa Cargo’s Animal Lounge hosted over 80 million animals in 2024, including 2,800 horses, 14,000 pets, and 200 zoo animals. Notable transports included two Siberian tigers flown from Frankfurt to Almaty for release into the wild, and two pygmy hippos transported from Madrid to Mumbai. The airline also transported a rare red panda in a climate-controlled chamber.
Art and Culture
In March, Lufthansa Cargo transported the hip hop exhibition “THE CULTURE” from Chicago to Frankfurt, using sustainable aviation fuel to reduce CO₂ emissions. The Berggruen exhibition, featuring works by Picasso and Matisse, traveled from Germany to Japan and back to Europe, with 91 works transported in climate-controlled crates.
Life-Saving Vaccines
In November, Lufthansa Cargo delivered 100,000 Mpox vaccines from Brussels to Kinshasa, aiding efforts to contain the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This mission highlighted the airline’s commitment to global health and humanitarian relief.
Lufthansa Cargo continues to deliver diverse cargo, from tigers to turbines, with expertise and reliability, supporting global business and humanitarian efforts.
Global Crossing Airlines Group (GlobalX) will lease an A321 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft from Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG).
The aircraft is set to be delivered in October this year.
“We are pleased to be able to lease our first A321 freighter from CAM, a worldwide leader in cargo aircraft conversions and leasing, and we greatly appreciate ATSG’s support of our team and our business plan,” said Ed Wegel, chair and chief executive of GlobalX.
“Our A321F fleet has performed extremely well – with better fuel burn, and load and unload times for both main deck and lower belly of less than 45 minutes. The A321F takes 50% more volume than its narrowbody competitor and is quickly shaping up to be the 757 freighter replacement aircraft.
“ATSG is excited to partner with GlobalX as they continue their transformational growth,” stated Paul Chase, chief commercial officer for ATSG. “We continue to seek partnerships that expand our global leasing footprint with companies that focus on the customer by providing world class service and reliability.”
GlobalX took delivery of its second Airbus A321 passenger to freighter (P2F) conversion in June.
It received its first A321P2F in December last year after conversion by ST Engineering.
Technology has made the world smaller and faster.Real time communication with people from all over the world at different time zones through phones and gadgets
