Lufthansa Cargo’s Revenues Surge in 2024, Powered by E-commerce and Fleet Expansion

By Maria Kalamatas – The Logistic News | March 5, 2025

Lufthansa Cargo has recorded a significant financial and operational boost in 2024, with revenues rising by 10% to €3.3 billion and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) surging by 18% to €252 million. This growth is largely attributed to increased freighter capacity, strategic network expansions, and a booming e-commerce sector, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Year of Strong Operational Performance

Lufthansa Cargo’s total revenue cargo tonne kilometers (RCTK) grew by 14% to 8.3 billion, while capacity expanded by 9% to 13.7 billion available cargo tonne kilometers. With demand exceeding expectations, the airline’s load factor improved by 2.7 percentage points, reaching 61.9%.

“This performance underscores the resilience of our cargo operations and our ability to adapt to market trends,” said a Lufthansa Cargo spokesperson. “E-commerce continues to be a key driver, and we have strategically adjusted our network and capacity to capitalize on this growth.”

Fleet Expansion and Network Growth

Lufthansa Cargo’s fleet saw a notable expansion in 2024, reinforcing its capabilities in both intercontinental and regional markets:

• The addition of its 18th Boeing 777 freighter, complementing the six freighters operated by AeroLogic.
• The continued deployment of four Airbus A321 freighters to support regional operations in Europe and North Africa.
• A milestone expansion beyond Germany, with the launch of intercontinental freighter operations from Brussels to Monterrey.
• A substantial increase in freighter capacity to Asia, up 29% in Q4, with the introduction of routes to high-demand markets such as Shenzhen and Zhengzhou.

E-commerce Driving Capacity Allocation

The rapid expansion of cross-border e-commerce played a pivotal role in Lufthansa Cargo’s 2024 success. To meet growing consumer demand, the airline strategically shifted resources, reallocating capacity from North America to China. This move aligned with the sustained e-commerce boom in Asia and solidified Lufthansa Cargo’s position as a key logistics partner for global online retailers and supply chain operators.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite encountering headwinds such as labor strikes in early 2024 and fluctuating market conditions, Lufthansa Cargo successfully navigated these challenges to achieve year-on-year profitability growth. Looking ahead, the airline aims to further optimize its cargo network, invest in digitalization, and enhance sustainability initiatives to future-proof its operations.

As the global air cargo sector continues to evolve, Lufthansa Cargo’s strong financial performance and strategic foresight position it for continued success in an increasingly competitive market.

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