Back in October 2007, DHL and Lufthansa Cargo AG announced a new joint venture all cargo airline based at the DHL cargo super hub at Leipzig. The 50/50 JV will start operations in 2009 and eventually utilize 11 Boeing 777-200LRF Long Range Freighters.
The new airline has subsequently been named AeroLogic. The all cargo airline will feature a flexible operating plan. During the weekdays, the 777's will fly between Europe and Asia serving DHL Express. On the weekends, the aircraft will fly with Lufthansa cargo. The Lufthansa routes can be anywhere worldwide including North and South America.
Marketing for the new airline will be handled by both DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo organizations. Ground handling will also be provided by both organizations depending on routes served.
The company will be managed by a new management team featuring seasoned executives from both Lufthansa and DHL. Joint Managing Directors Dr. Thomas Papke of Lufthansa Cargo and Thomas Pusch from DHL Express.
DHL has used Lufthansa cargo airlift for many years for flights both into commercial airports as well as on charters into its Express hubs. The JV represents an extension of the DHL and Lufthansa relationship for both DHL Express and DHL Global Forwarding. DHL Global Forwarding is the largest indirect air carrier in the world, while DHL Express is one of the largest commercial purchasers of third party airlift for parcel shipment.
A separate press release from Boeing Co. on Monday indicated that Deucalion Capital has purchased the first eight 777 freighters, valued at $2 billion at list prices, for lease to AeroLogic. AeroLogic will take off in early 2009 with the first four of its new 777's. Additional aircraft will come online in 2010 and early 2011.
The 777-200RLF's were initially ordered by Avion Group of Iceland in 2005 and picked up by Deucalion after the order was canceled. This allowed the DHL/Lufthansa JV to jump up in the Boeing order book.
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