From mid-March: Lufthansa Cargo will start Airbus A321 operations

So far, Lufthansa Cargo has only used large Boeing 777 freighters, but that will change from mid-March. Because then the first Airbus A321 conversion cargo aircraft of the Lufthansa Group will be put into service.

The machine bearing the D-AEUC registration is operated by Lufthansa Cityline, but under the Lufthansa Cargo flight number. From March 1, customers will also have the opportunity to book their goods on board the converted A321 freighter.

Dublin, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and more

The plane’s first commercial flight will be on March 15 from Frankfurt to Dublin. Next, Lufthansa Cargo intends to add the destinations of Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Malta, Tunis and Manchester to the network with the aircraft and a second A321 freighter, which will be added in late summer. From March 29, the summer schedule will also include flights to Cairo. The A321 connects destinations with Frankfurt two to three times a week.

With its short and medium haul freighters, Lufthansa Cargo wants to meet the growing demand from online commerce for fast freight connections, which are enough freighters of this size. “With our acquisition of mid-range freighters, we are opening a whole new strategic business area,” says Ashwin Bhatt, Lufthansa Cargo Board Member for Products and Sales.

Aircraft payload 28 tons

During the conversion of the D-AEUC, previously flying as a passenger aircraft for Niki, Lauda and Eurowings, the floor was reinforced, the drum system for transporting cargo and a large cargo door were reinforced. There are now 14 pallets and containers available on the main deck and ten on the lower deck. This results in a payload of 28 tons.

You can see the D-AEUC in the photo gallery above.