Lufthansa Cargo expands freight network with new Munich-Istanbul route

Lufthansa Cargo will launch a new cargo route from Munich to Istanbul on July 6, 2024. This route marks the first use of cargo aircraft at the airline's southern German hub. The A321F freighters will be deployed twice a week to complement the existing belly network from Munich, the company announced.

"The new connection will operate on Saturdays and Sundays under flight numbers LH8350 or LH8351 and LH8346 or LH8347," Lufthansa Cargo said. This step is part of the strategy to further expand the cargo network in order to better meet customer needs.

Lufthansa Cargo CEO Ashin Bhat emphasized the importance of Munich Airport for air freight transport: “Munich Airport offers ideal conditions for fast and reliable freight transport. With the start of our cargo operations, we are laying the foundation for aligning our network even more closely with the needs of our customers in the future.”

Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, highlighted the strong growth rates that have established Munich as a major hub for freight: “This shows that Munich Airport is becoming increasingly important, also for freight traffic.”

Lufthansa Cargo currently operates a fleet of four A321Fs, normally based at its main hub in Frankfurt and operated by Lufthansa CityLine. The company is currently evaluating the possibility of expanding the fleet to better serve demand in the domestic German and intra-European short-haul freight market.