Tag Archives: Cargolux (Luxembourg)

Cargolux now flies to Shannon, Ireland

Cargolux has announced that Shannon, Ireland, as its latest addition to its global network.

The inaugural flight landed in Shannon on June 9, 2022 directly from Seattle/Tacoma.

The weekly frequency is routed Los Angeles-Seattle-Shannon-Luxembourg, bolstering the airline’s transatlantic services. The introduction of Shannon is an opportunity for Cargolux to meet growing customer demand and expand its presence in the British Isles.

Cargolux has been operating ad hoc flights into Shannon for several years and this regular service cements the airline’s commitment to business in the region. This additional gateway in Europe offers commercial opportunities for overseas partners, an option that Cargolux is pleased to offer its customers.

Cargolux aircraft photo gallery:

Stowaway survives 11-hour Cargolux cargo flight to Amsterdam in wheel well

From NBC:

“A man who was discovered hiding in the wheel section of a cargo plane at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Sunday survived an 11-hour flight, Dutch military police have said.”

Belugas on board – SEALIFE Trust and Cargolux join forces for an epic journey to the world’s first open water whale sanctuary

Cargolux becomes the official transport partner working with SEA LIFE Trust and project partner, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), to help move two beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, 6,000 miles from China to Iceland in Spring 2019.

A specially branded plane has been unveiled which features Little Grey and Little White on a Boeing 747-400ERF freighter (LX-ECV). The plane will help transport the two whales along with a care team to the world’s first open water sanctuary for beluga whales.

The SEA LIFE TRUST on January 7, 2019 announced that Europe’s leading all-cargo airline Cargolux will sponsor the flight to help relocate Little Grey and Little White the beluga whales 6,000 miles from China to Iceland in spring 2019.

The complex journey will see the two belugas move from Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai, China, via land, air and eventually by sea to the large sanctuary in a natural bay at Heimaey, one of the Westman Islands, located off the southern coast of Iceland.

The secluded bay will be the world’s first open water sanctuary for beluga whales in a ground-breaking global marine welfare project. The bay, which measures up to 32,000 sqm with a depth of up to 10m has been chosen to provide a more natural sub-Arctic environment and wild habitat for these amazing whales to call home.

Andy Bool, Head of SEA LIFE Trust, said: “This is a complex but truly inspiring project to be working on and we are extremely grateful to Cargolux for their generosity in becoming our official transport partner and helping us move Little White and Little Grey to their new, more natural home. Cargolux has years of experience working on many of the most logistically intricate projects and their teams have been working with our animal care team, veterinarians and marine experts to ensure we provide the very best journey for Little Grey and Little White.”

Bool continues: “We have also been working with Little Grey and Little White for months preparing them for the journey which includes specialist equipment and bespoke stretchers as well as a whole host of leading animal experts who will work around-the-clock as the whales make the journey to their new home.”

Richard Forson, Cargolux President and Chief Executive Officer added: “Cargolux is honoured to have been entrusted with two such incredible whales. This is a ground-breaking project and one which our animal transport experts are proud to be part of. We are meticulously preparing for the move this spring to ensure a seamless journey for Little Grey and Little White.”

This undertaking is a natural follow-up to the increasing amount of measures that the airline has taken to raise awareness about the necessity to promote conservation, preserve the environment, and fight illegal animal trade. Cargolux has a history of engagement for environmental consciousness, and animal welfare in particular. As a signatory of the UN Global Compact and a company committed to the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, conservation and sustainable development rank high on Cargolux’s list of priorities. Partnerships such as this one are of prime importance for the airline and reflect its engagement and that of its employees.

How will Little Grey and Little White travel from China to Iceland?

The complex logistical challenge of transporting two beluga whales by air, land and sea is being carefully planned by a team of global experts with experience in transporting marine mammals. The 6,000-miles journey will take around 24 hours to complete – from the time Little Grey and Little White leave Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai and arrive at the sanctuary on Heimaey Island.

The journey will begin at Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai. Each beluga will be individually lifted onto specially designed stretchers measured to their physical requirements and carefully placed into specially built transportation boxes before they are lifted out of the aquarium by crane and placed carefully into two lorries
Little Grey and Little White will then travel by road, from Changfeng Ocean World to Pu Dong International airport, where a specially chartered cargo plane will be waiting on the runway to fly them to Keflavik Airport in Iceland
Following the flight, Little Grey and Little White will be transferred on to two individual lorries on a two hour drive from the airport to the ferry port and then transported by ferry from the airport to Heimaey, a crossing that takes around 30 minutes
Once the ferry has docked on Heimaey Island, the lorries will drive a short distance to the town of Vestmannaeyjar where Little Grey and Little White will be transferred to the beluga sanctuary landside facility and placed into a special care pool so they can be assessed following their journey.

Project overview:

Created in partnership with WDC, the SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary is one of the biggest developments in captive whale and dolphin care and protection in decades and the first of its kind to be created for cetaceans.

Cathy Williamson, WDC policy manager, concluded: “Whales and dolphins are highly intelligent creatures and are not suited to being held in a small pool performing tricks. It is hoped that this project will help to encourage the rehabilitation of more captive whales into a more natural environment in the future, and one day bring an end to the use of whales and dolphins for human entertainment. We are hugely grateful to Cargolux for helping to make this a reality.”

Visitors to Heimaey will be able to learn more about Little White and Little Grey and the sanctuary in a landside visitor centre which will be completed in 2019. It will offer limited and discreet viewing of the whales. This will be very carefully controlled to ensure the two whales will not be disturbed in their new and very natural environment.

Backed by a donation from Merlin Entertainments and supported by the world’s largest chain of family aquariums, SEA LIFE, the sanctuary will comprise of a stunning natural sea inlet in Klettsvik Bay and include a landside care facility and visitor centre.

For more information about the SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary, visit www.sealifetrust.org .

Follow the plane and where it’s spotted by following the hashtags: #WhaleHelloPlane #BelugaFlight

Cargolux and NCA sign a cooperative agreement

Cargolux has announces it has signed a cooperation agreement with Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) that allows both partners access to each other’s capacity through code – share and space swap agreements. Cargolux now has access to NCA’s flights f rom Frankfurt Hahn to Tokyo (Narita) while NCA has access to Cargolux’s flights from Luxembourg to Narita. This is a major milestone in Cargolux’s operations to Japan , which, traditionally, has been an important market for Cargolux .

Above Copyright Photo: Cargolux Italia Boeing 747-4R7F LX-TCV (msn 30401) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 926118.

Cargolux Italia:

As per this agreement Cargolux plans to operate a weekly flight from Luxembourg to Tokyo Narita. Cargolux Italia (above) will stop its operations to Narita but will maintain its services to Osaka (Kansai). The code – share operation is planned to start with the summer season 2018. Both airlines consider the agreement as a first step towards a potentially deeper cooperation.

In addition to this opportunity to develop its activity at Narita, Cargolux also intends to further develope its operations through Komatsu. Together with Cargolux Italia’s operations to Osaka, Cargolux is well placed to provide its customers with comprehensive services to and from Japan.

Top Copyright Photo: Cargolux Airlines International (Luxembourg) Boeing 747-8R7F LX-VCM (msn 61169) (You name it, we fly it) ANC (Michael B. Ing). Image: 932973.

Cargolux:

NCA:

Bottom Copyright Photo: NCA-Nippon Cargo Airlines Boeing 747-8KZF JA13KZ (msn 36138) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 909961.

Cargolux takes delivery of its 30th direct delivery Boeing 747, adds a special decal in honor of Joe Sutter

Boeing (Chicago, Seattle and Charleston) and Cargolux Airlines (Luxembourg) are celebrating the 30th direct delivery of a 747 Freighter to the Luxembourg-based cargo carrier. To mark the occasion, Cargolux’s latest 747-8 Freighter carries a special decal of the “Father of the Boeing 747,” Joe Sutter, the Boeing engineer who led the team that designed the airplane.

Photos Above: Boeing. The pictured Boeing 747-8R7F LX-VCL (msn 35823) with the special Joe Sutter emblem on the nose was officially handed over to the carrier on March 5.

Video Below: Interview with Joe Sutter.

This latest delivery was the 12th 747-8 Freighter to join Cargolux’s fleet, with the Luxembourg carrier becoming the world’s first operator of the airplane type in October 2011. Prior to the introduction of the 747-8 Freighter, Cargolux took delivery of the first of two 747-200 Freighters in 1979 and in 1993 also became the world’s first operator of the 747-400 Freighter, taking a total of 16 747-400 Freighters.

In January 2015, Cargolux began operations to Manaus Airport in Brazil with a 747-8 Freighter carrying a full load of machinery spare parts and telecommunications equipment. In the process, Manaus Airport became the 100th commercial airport that Cargolux serves with the 747-8 Freighter, underlining the airplane’s incredible versatility in the world cargo market.

Cargolux currently has two unfilled orders for 747-8 Freighters, with the all-Boeing carrier operating a fleet composed entirely of 747-400 Freighters and 747-8 Freighters.

Cargolux aircraft slide show:

Cargolux improves with a net profit of $8.4 million in 2013

Cargolux Airlines International (Luxembourg) at its annual general meeting, the shareholders of Cargolux Airlines International S.A. approved the audited financial statements for the financial year ended on December 31, 2013.

2013 Highlights

Cargolux earned a full year net profit of US$ 8.4 million compared to US$ 35.1 million net loss in 2012;

Total revenues rose 14.4% to US$ 1,988.5 million from US$ 1,738.9 million in 2012.
Key Performance Indicators:

Tons sold increased 16.7% to 753,848 from 645,759 in 2012;

Average load factor softened 0.9 percentage points to 67.7%;

FTK strengthened to 5.7 million compared to 4.8 million in 2012;

Daily aircraft utilization stood at 14:57 block hours versus 15:07 in 2012.

In spite of a moderate recovery in the last quarter, the airfreight industry continued to operate in a difficult environment for the most part of 2013. Capacity growth still outstripped demand, which resulted in an industry-wide decline in yields and load factors. Despite difficult trading conditions, Cargolux grew its activities and increased volumes in a bid to maximize contribution to fixed costs. This was achieved quite successfully, as the company recorded a tonnage growth of 16.7% over 2012 to 753,848 tons – exceeding the 2013 budget by 13.5%. Total revenues grew by 14.4% to $1,988.5 million (US) while tons-kilometers flown increased from 4.8 million in 2012 to 5.7 million in 2013.

Cargolux operated 95,022 block hours, 13,364 hours more than planned for 2013. The high amount of operational activity contributed towards achieving a net consolidated gain of $8.4 million (US), a noteworthy improvement over the originally budgeted loss for 2013 of $27.1 million (US).

Cargolux expanded its fleet with three new Boeing 747-8Fs and retained, on a power-by-the-hour basis, a Boeing 747-400F that was initially planned to exit the fleet during 2013. It also added a Boeing 747-400ERF on the same basis, which brought the fleet to 20 aircraft at the end of the year. In contrast, the budget for 2013 foresaw a fleet of 16 aircraft only.

With a bigger fleet and more operational activity than planned, Cargolux recorded an average daily aircraft utilization of 14:57 hours. The company’s market share reached 3.5% and it ranked at number 8 among the world’s dedicated freighter and combination carriers in terms of FTKs.

“We don’t expect market conditions to improve significantly in 2014,” said Cargolux President and CEO Dirk Reich. “Our priority is to grow and expand our global network with the continued support and valuable contribution of our hard working employees while focusing on efficiency and performance improvements. I am also confident in our ability to reap the first tangible rewards from the cooperation with our new shareholder HNCA”, Reich added.

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-8R7F LX-VCG (msn 35812) taxies past the camera at Amsterdam.

Cargolux Aircraft Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Cargolux to launch cargo flights to Bamako, Mali

Cargolux Airlines International S.A. (Luxembourg) has announced the launch of a weekly service to Bamako, the capital of Mali, from December 5, 2013. The flights are operated with the airline’s Boeing 747 freighters which offer main deck capacity for the transport of airfreight supplies that support the local industries in the areas of natural resources, telecommunications, healthcare and pharmaceutical products, perishables and general appliances.

In 2010, Bamako Airport inaugurated a new cargo terminal with a yearly capacity of 10,000 tons and extended the runway to 3,180 meters, enabling the operation of large aircraft, such as Cargolux’s 747 freighters.

Flight CV 7124 is operated every Thursday on the routing Luxembourg – Bamako – Lagos – Libreville – Nairobi – Manston – Luxembourg. Departure in Luxembourg is scheduled for 16.30 GMT with arrival in Bamako at 21:40 GMT. With this service, Cargolux connects another African destination to its worldwide network and offers shippers fast and reliable airfreight solutions to a market with growing importance.

Cargolux’s African network now covers 13 destinations that show promising export potential with strong shipments for the oil and gas industry. Cargolux also offers direct services between the United States and Africa.

Previously the cargo carrier started weekly service to Buenos Aires via Campinas (Viracopas) near Sao Paulo on November 13.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-4R7F LX-VCV (msn 34235) approaches Johannesburg for landing.

Cargolux:

Cargolux launches Atlanta-Munich cargo service via Luxembourg

Cargolux Airlines International (Luxembourg) on June 3 launched a new service between Atlanta and Munich via Luxembourg. The new weekly cargo route with be operated with Boeing 747-400F freighters.

The airline issued this statement:

Cargolux Airlines International S.A. on June 4 announced the introduction of a regular service between Atlanta and Munich via Luxembourg. Starting on June 3, 2013, at the eve of the Air Cargo Munich Exhibition and Conference, the latest addition to Cargolux’s expanding network of worldwide destinations will be served every Monday with a Boeing 747-400 Freighter.

The main import customer for the new Cargolux service is the German freight forwarder Senator International Spedition GmbH, a leading international freight forwarding company specialized in international freight, shipping, packaging and logistics. ‘Cargolux is a trusted and reliable partner who supports us in delivering first class global logistics services to our own customers. The Cargolux network offers us a wide array of options to accommodate with this weekly operation’, said Tim-Oliver Kirschbaum, CEO of Senator International based at the company’s headquarters in Hamburg.

While Cargolux has previously flown a number of charter flights from the Bavarian capital, this is the airline’s first regular airfreight service to and from Munich. Until now, the airline has relied on its trucking services to transport freight between its Luxembourg hub and Munich and earmarked for farther connections within its worldwide network.

Cargolux:

Cargolux loses $35.1 million in 2012

Cargolux Airlines International (Luxembourg) issued its financial statement for 2012:

At the April 24 annual General Meeting, the shareholders of Cargolux Airlines International S.A. approved the audited Financial Statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

The steep decline in air cargo markets at the end of 2011 continued into 2012 not only for Cargolux, but for the industry as a whole. Depressed demand coupled with continued overcapacity resulted in significant pressure on yields and load factors for all freight operators.

Despite an improvement in late 2012, Cargolux recorded an overall loss of $35.1 million on revenues of $1,738.9 million. This loss, however, is markedly lower than the $57.0 million loss budgeted by the airline for the 2012. With the improvement in demand experienced in the last quarter of 2012 and the positive volume growth experienced by the airline for the first quarter of 2013 versus 2012, Cargolux remains cautiously optimistic for the current year. ‘Considering the state of the industry and the economic difficulties worldwide, Cargolux fared better than anticipated in 2012, that gives me hope for the current year,’ said Paul Helminger, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

In 2012, Cargolux carried 645,759 tons of cargo on its worldwide network. The fleet consisted of a mix of Boeing 747-400 and 747-8 freighters. With the new 747-8F gradually replacing the 747-400F, the airline operated eleven 747-400F and six 747-8F at the end of December 2012. Four Boeing 747-8 freighters joined the fleet during the year and additional deliveries are expected in 2013. In total, Cargolux will receive 13 units of the advanced freighter.

Cargolux has implemented a new business plan designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the airline with a return to profitability in 2014.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton. Boeing 747-8R7F LX-VCE (msn 35810) approaches Dubai International Airport (DXB) for landing.

Cargolux:

Cargolux’s board adopts a new business plan

Cargolux Airlines International‘s (Luxembourg) board of directors, minus Qatar Airways, has adopted a new business plan. The company issued the following statement:

The Board of Directors of Cargolux Airlines International S.A. has approved the airline’s business plan for the period from 2013 to 2017. The plan is designed to achieve profitable growth, enhance shareholder value and ensure the long-term sustainability of Cargolux. In the same context, the Board of Directors further resolved to request the shareholders of Cargolux to commit additional liquidity to the airline, with a first tranche of $100 million (US) requested for the first quarter of 2013 in the form of a convertible loan. Both decisions enhance the government’s position in the ongoing discussions with potential new shareholders.

‘This is an important milestone for Cargolux in securing its sustainability. Going forward, all stakeholders will need to contribute their part to ensure this plan’s success. I am confident in the leadership team’s ability to execute it together with the airline’s highly skilled and dedicated employees,’ said Paul Helminger, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Commenting on the business plan, Richard Forson, Interim President and CEO, said: ‘We have a clear vision for the future which is founded on the strengths of the Cargolux business model. By continuing to put customers first while further improving our flexibility and resilience, this business plan will help us meet the challenges ahead and ensure that Cargolux remains a relevant player in the long run’.

The business plan optimizes and builds on the proven Cargolux business model with the aim to:

– retain the single fleet philosophy and leverage the improved efficiency of the Boeing 747-8 freighter
– pursue profitable, moderate fleet growth and optimize daily fleet utilization
– achieve permanent efficiency gains and increased levels of flexibility in terms of cost and capacity; involving a range of measures including amendments to the Collective Work Agreement
– enhance growth and cost competitiveness and return to profitability in 2014

The 2013-2017 business plan is the result of an extensive evaluation by management of the airline’s business model, fleet structure, route network, customer base and future growth opportunities and takes account of different air freight market scenarios and macroeconomic developments.

Copyright Photo: Stephen Tornblom. Boeing 747-8R7F LX-VCD (msn 35809) taxies to the runway at New York’s JFK International Airport.