Lufthansa Cargo Celebrates the Launch of Expansion in Frankfurt

Lufthansa Cargo celebrated a significant step in the further development of its central cargo hub at Frankfurt Airport. With an investment volume of nearly 600 million euros, the cargo airline is focusing on a comprehensive modernization by 2030, which aims to make the Lufthansa Cargo Center (LCC) the most modern air freight hub in Europe. Numerous guests from politics and business, as well as employees, customers, and project partners, attended the ceremony at the large construction site of the ‘LCCevo’ project and ceremoniously honored the already commenced start of the superstructure. As a reminder of this important milestone for the company, participants filled and sealed a time capsule.

(Frankfurt/Main) “Lufthansa Cargo enables global trade and connects world markets more sustainably. The ‘LCCevo’ project stands for our pursuit of growth and excellence,” said Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. “In times of global tensions and changing customer needs, we need innovative solutions that meet our requirements, those of our customers, and those of society. This can only be achieved with modern infrastructure. For our customers, we want to optimize efficiency and quality and make our service even more seamless and faster. For our employees, we want to create attractive and future-proof jobs for the next generations in our newly designed ‘Home of Cargo’. At the same time, ‘LCCevo’ underscores our strong connection to our home location and solidifies the role of Frankfurt Airport as a central cargo hub in Europe.”

“This investment by the Lufthansa Group is a clear commitment to the Frankfurt location and symbolizes our confidence in the long-term future of the air freight business,” said Michael Niggemann, member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. “This flagship project makes our cargo business at the Frankfurt hub future-proof. It enhances quality and efficiency for customers, creates sustainable jobs for our colleagues, and enables even more environmentally friendly ground processes. At the same time, we are making a significant contribution to the performance of air freight in the heart of Europe, thus enabling global traffic for our economy.”

“This is an impressive example of how investments in modern and sustainable infrastructure can strengthen our state in the long term. Lufthansa Cargo is thus setting an important signal for innovation and competitiveness at Frankfurt Airport,” emphasized the Hessian Minister of Finance R. Alexander Lorz. “Here in Hesse, where the automotive industry, pharmaceutical industry, and medical technology play a central role, the connection through Lufthansa Cargo is an indispensable gateway to the global market.”

“Heart Muscle of the Frankfurt Region”

In a video message, Kaweh Mansoori, Hessian Minister for Economy, Energy, Transport, Housing, and Rural Areas, said: “Frankfurt Airport is regularly referred to as the ‘heart muscle of the region’. The last few years have shown how important freight traffic is alongside passenger traffic. The key to remaining competitive in this dynamic environment is efficient and modern infrastructure. With the modernization of its cargo center, Lufthansa Cargo, as the largest cargo player at Frankfurt Airport, contributes to further strengthening air freight at the location. By employing the latest technologies and intelligent solutions, the challenges of the future will be mastered. At the same time, this sets a clear signal for the economic strength and sustainable development of our region and expands the position of Frankfurt Airport as a significant hub.”

“Frankfurt Airport is crucial for the economic strength of our city, as it connects countless companies with global markets. By investing in modern infrastructure and creating diverse jobs, Lufthansa Cargo significantly contributes to the future viability of Frankfurt. Together with the air freight industry, we are committed to ensuring that Frankfurt remains an attractive location for companies and employees,” said Mike Josef, Mayor of Frankfurt.

24-Hour Operation Seven Days a Week

The LCC has been operating continuously since its commissioning in 1982 in a 24-hour operation seven days a week and has played a central role in global air freight traffic ever since. The modernization includes the gradual renewal of all central functions by 2030. This includes the cargo handling halls, storage and conveyor technology, building technology, administrative buildings, and IT facilities. With a total area of around 330,000 m² – equivalent to about 46 football fields – it is one of the largest air freight hubs in Europe.

Lufthansa Cargo is carrying out this ambitious project during ongoing operations. This “operation on an open heart” requires the cooperation of all parties involved to ensure smooth operations. “We are working closely with partner companies such as Züblin and Bleichert Automation, who bring their expertise to the successful and currently fully on-schedule implementation,” says project manager Stefan Dürr.

Renovation and New Buildings on an Area of 55,000 m²

The construction work is taking place in phases, allowing daily operations to continue uninterrupted. In the current construction phase, around 55,000 m² is being renovated or newly built at Lufthansa Cargo. A significant milestone is the construction of a 42-meter-high high-bay warehouse, which will become the second-highest building at Frankfurt Airport upon completion.

Photo: © Lufthansa Cargo