Lufthansa Cargo may be forced to move some operations to other airports in Germany as a result of a night flight ban at Frankfurt, although it ruled out pulling its freighter fleet from the airport.
Karl Ulrich Garnadt, chairman of the German flag-carrier's freight division, said the ban meant the carrier would have to reschedule its entire logistics operation.
He explained that the ban was implemented by a regional court in Kassel, but hoped a ruling in January or February 2012 at the supreme court of appeal in Leipzig would allow a minimum of necessary night flights from Frankfurt. Having been taken by surprise by the court's actions, Garnadt said Lufthansa Cargo was as yet uncertain of the ban's financial implications.
Highlighting its logistical impact, he said that two connections to China had been cancelled, while evening flights from Frankfurt bound for China would be forced to stop at Cologne for several hours before resuming their journey. The ban also meant that deliveries to the USA would arrive 12 hours later.
Garnadt added that Lufthansa's order of five Boeing 777 Freighters scheduled for delivery in 2013 would not be affected, but said he did not know whether they would be based in Frankfurt or elsewhere.
The provisional ban comes into force on 21 October.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
