For as long as anyone can remember, Lufthansa Cargo has been out up front with the media, hosting events for the industry and press whilst promoting its offering and industry issues, at times seemingly all by itself.
     But for most of the first half of 2016 and indeed the last quarter of 2015, the German national carrier was suddenly and uncharacteristically silent, having adopted an abnormally low-key public image. Reportedly, an extended period of top-to-bottom, self-examination has been underway for the airline.
     There are some other issues as well, as one source confides:
     “Their ongoing labor issues with pilots, mechanics, ground staff, and flight attendants are avoiding broad public attention.”
     “On the cargo front, Lufthansa retired two M11Fs and they will retire more,” the source said.
     “Three engines and all that points to the LH cargo fleet shrinking to maybe 12 aircraft by 2020, preferably all 777Fs.”
     “Lufthansa Cargo is looking hard at expanding their network, including joint ventures, codeshares, block spaces, and developing alliances such as are now being worked up and have been reported with United or All Nippon.
     “Whether or not that will work is going take some imaginative development followed by a wait-and-see timeframe.
     “Once upon a time there was a multi-airline cooperation branded WOW that, on balance, was less than some hoped,” the source said.
Oscar