Lufthansa experiences "subdued" first six months of 2014

Lufthansa’s group cargo has reported volume falls of 3.1% during the first six months of 2014, with tonnage equating to 932,000. The company has seen a “subdued” freight market, affecting its airlines businesses including Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss and Austrian Airlines.

Lufthansa has commented on its half-year financial review: “The global cargo business was more subdued than the passenger business in the first half-year. Revenue tonne-kilometres climbed 4.4 per cent year on year in the first five months of 2014.”

The airline reported its passenger traffic showed regional differences, with freight providers from the Middle East increasing by 10.6%, while those in Europe and North America grew by 4.1% and 1.8% respectively. However, the company also saw its Lufthansa Cargo sector experience a 3.8% fall.

The airline further commented: “Although global demand for air freight picked up slightly in the first half of 2014 traffic at Lufthansa Cargo has remained at the same level as last year and was therefore below the expectations at the beginning of the year. The company continued its policy of adjusting capacities to maximise load factors. Thanks to its flexible and demand –orientated management of freighter capacities, Lufthansa Car was able to keep the cargo load factor at a high level of 70.1%.”

In a bid for statistics to pick up over the remainder of the year, Lufthansa has said it will implement additional measures to cut costs and boost revenues. The airline has said: “The marketing of lucrative express products will be expanded, among other things.”