CARGOCONNECT-MARCH2024 - Flipbook - Page 67
The ethos of Lufthansa Cargo encapsulates a
multifaceted approach that intertwines connectivity,
sustainability, technological innovation, and strong
interpersonal relationships. As a cornerstone of global
transport and logistics, Lufthansa Cargo views air cargo
not merely as a transactional enterprise but as a conduit
for fostering vital connections between people, cultures,
and businesses. This holistic perspective underscores
the airline’s mission to adapt to evolving market trends
while upholding core values of quality, reliability, and
consistency. By embracing digitalisation and cuttingedge technologies, Lufthansa Cargo is steadfast and
committed to further enhancing operational efficiency
alongside environmental sustainability, all while
recognising the pivotal role of human expertise in
ensuring seamless service delivery and operational
stability. Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, who
was in India for a recent agent meet and greet ceremony,
spared some time to sit down with UPAMANYU BORAH at
their Delhi event, for a short interaction during which
he spotlighted what their current efforts are directed
towards, supplemented by a forward-thinking mindset,
in an all-inclusive way shaping the future of air cargo as
a dynamic and people-centric industry.
What distinguishes Frankfurt
from Munich in terms of
Lufthansa Cargo’s operational
priorities?
Our strategic focus extends
beyond Frankfurt to encompass
Munich, as both serve as crucial
hubs for Lufthansa Cargo. While
Frankfurt remains our primary
hub, Munich plays a signi昀椀cant
role, particularly in terms of
increasing belly capacity.
It’s essential for us to
maintain consistent quality
standards across both hubs,
ensuring that our services
meet the expectations of our
customers regardless of the location. While Frankfurt is more
freighter-oriented, Munich’s
emphasis lies on belly capacity,
re昀氀ecting our commitment to
providing comprehensive cargo
solutions tailored to the needs
of di昀昀erent markets.
In what ways does the
integration of cutting-edge
technologies contribute to
Lufthansa Cargo’s competitive
edge in the aviation industry?
The integration of cutting-edge
technologies is another facet of
our commitment to innovation at Lufthansa Cargo. Take,
for instance, the utilisation
of advanced technologies like
shark skin technology on our
aircraft. Despite its intriguing
name, rest assured, no sharks
are harmed in this process.
Rather, shark skin technology refers to a revolutionary
aerodynamic concept inspired
by the unique texture of shark
skin. By mimicking nature’s
design, this technology enables
us to enhance the e昀케ciency and
performance of our aircraft,
ultimately optimising fuel
consumption and reducing our
environmental footprint. Such
innovative solutions underscore
our unwavering dedication to
staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the
aviation industry. Additionally,
our commitment in IATA’s ONE
Record data standard shows our
ambition to jointly drive digitalisation within our industry.
Improving the data exchange
between all involved parties
in the supply chain will make
collaboration more e昀케cient and
consistent in the long-term.
Can you elaborate on how
Lufthansa Cargo plans to
ensure ample opportunities
for Indian businesses within
its cargo offerings and
capacity models?
Ensuring ample opportunities
for Indian businesses within our
expanded cargo o昀昀erings and
capacity models is a top priority
for us. The recent developments,
such as the introduction of the
first turnaround freighter in
Delhi after seven years, exemplify our commitment to this
objective. Additionally, the
upcoming freighter in Mumbai
underscores our dedication to
pro昀椀table growth while considering the unique dynamics of each
market. It’s crucial to recognise
that our growth strategy isn’t
unilateral; it requires collaborative e昀昀orts with our partners to
align with the evolving global
economy and capitalise on India’s
promising growth trajectory.
Investing in India’s growth story
is paramount for us, re昀氀ecting
our belief in its potential and
our commitment to fostering
mutually bene昀椀cial partnerships.
How does Lufthansa Cargo
plan to uphold its core values
as it expands into new
markets?
Our approach moving forward remains rooted in our
core values of quality, reliability, and consistency. As
we expand into new markets
and embrace emerging trends
like e-commerce and pharmaceuticals, our commitment to
providing top-notch services
remains unwavering. Leveraging technology will be pivotal in
enhancing our e昀케ciency, speed,
and transparency, ensuring we
meet the evolving needs of our
customers.
Moreover, we recognise
that our most valuable asset is
Ensuring ample
opportunities for Indian
businesses within
our expanded cargo
offerings and capacity
models is a top priority
for us. The recent
developments, such
as the introduction of
the first turnaround
freighter in Delhi after
seven years, exemplify
our commitment to this
objective. Additionally,
the upcoming freighter
in Mumbai underscores our dedication
to profitable growth
while considering the
unique dynamics of
each market.
our people. Investing in their
development, upskilling, and
reskilling is crucial to staying
ahead in a rapidly changing
landscape. Continuous learning
and improvement will be the
norm as we strive to adapt and
thrive in the dynamic air cargo
industry.
Lastly, sustainability is a key
focus area for us. We understand
the importance of minimising
our environmental footprint
while maximising our positive
impact on society. By aligning
our e昀昀orts with these overarching principles of people, technology, and sustainability, we aim
to remain at the forefront of the
industry, driving innovation and
delivering exceptional service to
our customers worldwide.
CARGOCONNECT MARCH 2024 | 67
