German national airline “Lufthansa” starts cargo transportation to Riga / Article

Continuing the work on the expansion of the flight network, as well as diversifying the company’s cargo aviation fleet, “Lufthansa Cargo” received the fourth “Airbus A321F” model aircraft in November last year. “A321F” will also be used in cargo flights from Frankfurt Airport to Riga.

Currently, the company plans to provide flights in the summer season, and they will take place once a week – at night from Saturday to Sunday. After Riga, the plane will fly to Helsinki Airport in Finland and back to Frankfurt.

“We are happy that we can take the next step in our cooperation and offer customers in the Baltics not only commercial air transportation, but also cargo flights, which are important for the growth of the entire Baltic region,”

“Lufthansa Cargo” representative Jana Paulina told the portal LSM.lv. She also pointed out that by using the aircraft of this model, it is possible to provide customers with the highest level of quality and to deliver shipments in the shortest possible time.

It is currently planned that various electronic and pharmaceutical products will be loaded on flights from Riga. Electronic products of a company were also loaded on the first flight.

“This is a very important event that we are very much looking forward to.

After a long period of time, when there was a significant drop in cargo transportation, this is a very positive signal that cargo volumes in Riga will recover again,”

Laila Odiņa, chairman of the RIX Riga Airport board, told the LSM.lv portal.

“Lufthansa Group is a long-term and stable cooperation partner of Riga Airport, and we are happy that Riga Airport will become the first Baltic airport where Lufthansa Cargo starts such regular air cargo flights,” explained Eligijus, Head of Air Cargo Development at RIX Riga Airport Yentkus.

The “A321F” aircraft used by the airline can transport up to 28 tons of cargo in one flight. It is possible to place 14 containers on the main deck of the plane, while there is room for another 10 containers on the lower deck of the plane. Thanks to the possibility of stacking containers, it is possible not only to conveniently and quickly stack them, but also to unload them.

“This model aircraft is one of the most versatile aircraft in its class, offering excellent service to medium-haul destinations such as Riga. The addition of this model aircraft to the Lufthansa cargo fleet, as well as the new network, is an important step towards the rapidly growing e- meeting the demand of commerce,” said Paulina.

The company also states that this aircraft is very compatible with the company’s “Boeing 777F” model aircraft that perform transatlantic cargo flights.

“Lufthansa Cargo” operates its flights mostly from Frankfurt Airport, which, according to the company, is a suitable location to connect Europe with the rest of the world.

In the past winter season, the company started flights to Jordan and Stockholm. Each new destination is chosen to enhance the customer experience with the airline’s services. For example, Stockholm Arlanda Airport is an important location for transporting pharmaceuticals and other products where constant temperature is important.

“I am very pleased that with our new route additions we can connect the Nordics and the Baltics with the rest of the world.

I am even more pleased that we can do this with our A321F fleet,” said Henning Ohlendorf, Head of Sales and Service for the Nordic and Baltic Markets.

He also acknowledged that demand for these medium-haul cargo flights continues to grow, meaning the company could decide to open more destinations as well.

Starting flights to Latvia is also a benefit for Latvian and Baltic businessmen, who will have a more convenient way to deliver or receive cargo not only from the rest of Europe, but also the world. If until now land transport, such as trains or trucks, was used for this, now the distance to the customer can be shortened by using air transport.

Currently, seven carriers have marked Riga on their cargo maps, and “Lufthansa Cargo” is the eighth airline on this list.