Lufthansa Cargo expands Africa network, adds 33 Africa-Europe links
Asia remains a major focus, with up to 48 weekly connections to 17 destinations.
GERMANY – Lufthansa Cargo has expanded its Africa connections in the 2026 summer flight schedule up to 33 links, including Kilimanjaro and Freetown, which came into effect on 29 March 2026.
For fresh produce exporters across Africa, this expansion signals improved access to European markets for perishable goods, including flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
Africa Expansion: New Routes for Perishable Exports
The airline will operate 87 weekly freighter flights to up to 35 destinations worldwide using its fleet of 18 B777F aircraft. Within Europe and nearby regions, Lufthansa Cargo’s A321 freighters have been operating weekly services to Rome and Algiers since February, supporting faster transport via Frankfurt and Munich.
For African horticulture exporters, these new connections reduce transit times for high-value perishables. For instance, Kilimanjaro, a key origin for Tanzanian avocados, coffee, and flowers, now benefits from enhanced belly capacity and dedicated freighter links to European distribution hubs.
Middle East and Asia: Strategic Corridors for Food Trade
Asia remains a major focus, with up to 48 weekly connections to 17 destinations. From May, Delhi will be reintroduced into the freighter network, bringing total services to six per week for the Indian market.
Additionally, the transpacific route from Ho Chi Minh City via Shanghai to Los Angeles will increase to two rotations per week, with Lufthansa Cargo currently the only carrier offering main deck capacity on the Vietnam-China route.
For Middle Eastern food importers, expanded European hub capacity at Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Brussels, Rome, and Zurich offers more flexible routing for perishable cargo from Asia and Africa. Enhanced cooperation with SWISS WorldCargo enables a harmonized product and service offering across the group.
Direct Statement and Strategic Outlook
Ashwin Bhat, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Cargo, said, “The expansion of our European hub network to six locations, combined with our freighter and belly capacity, gives our customers greater flexibility and reliability,” Bhat stated. “This means faster transport times and the ability to respond quickly to changing market demands.”
In addition to its freighter operations, Lufthansa Cargo markets belly capacity of up to 7,500 weekly flights to more than 350 destinations across the Lufthansa Group.
For food logistics investors, this network growth translates into more predictable shipping schedules and reduced spoilage risk for time-sensitive perishable exports moving between Africa, the Middle East, and global markets
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