Dive Brief:
- Lufthansa Cargo is creating a weekly route from northern Norway to speed up shipments for salmon farmers, the air cargo carrier said in a Nov. 16 statement.
- The carrier partnered with exporter Nordlaks and forwarder Salmosped to offer weekly freighter connections between Evenes airport (EVE) in northern Norway to its Frankfurt (FRA) hub.
- The new air cargo solution launched in early November and uses an A321 freighter for deliveries. It’s expected to slash delivery times to less than 24 hours compared to four to six days, according to Ashwin Bhat, chief commercial officer at Lufthansa Cargo.
Dive Insight:
Lufthansa Cargo is offering more customized airfreight options to support agriculture producers, who prioritize delivery speed to ensure freshness.
In addition to seafood, the new connection also transports produce from Evenes to various destinations via Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub, the carrier said.
Lufthansa currently operates two A321 freighters, with the most recent one entering service in October, according to the carrier’s website.
“Thanks to the flexibility of the A321 freighter, we are able to build a customized supply chain solution for individual customers,” Bhat said.
With a payload capacity of 27 tonnes, A321F aircraft can carry cargo on the main deck for fast loading and unloading, making it an efficient option for shippers looking to optimize the process.
Nordlaks isn’t the only salmon shipper looking for customized air solutions to further streamline operations and mitigate logistics challenges. FarCargo, a new air cargo subsidiary of salmon company Bakkafrost, closed a deal with Boeing to purchase a 757-200 aircraft in August.
The aircraft is equipped with a 35-tonne payload and will transport fresh salmon to the U.S. with the possibility of expanding to the Middle Eastern market, according to the carrier’s website.
FarCargo intends to operate a maiden flight between Vágar Airport (FAE) in the Faroe Islands and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey sometime in Q4, according to the website. From New Jersey, the return flight will stop at an undisclosed European airport based on demand before touching down in the Faroe Islands.
While Bakkafrost and Nordlaks have established more specific air cargo solutions, other salmon shippers have maintained partnerships with carriers equipped to handle specialized, perishable cargo, including salmon producer Mowi Chile which partners with LATAM Cargo.
