AeroLogic Adds Flights to U.S., Hong Kong

AeroLogic, the joint venture cargo airline of DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo, is adding flights from Germany to the United States and Hong Kong following the delivery of two 777 freighters.

The airline is introducing weekend flights from Frankfurt to Atlanta and Chicago and daily flights from Leipzig to Hong Kong, including four nonstop services.

“Trade between Europe and Asia remained at a high level during the recent (economic) crisis, indicating a structural demand in both regions for the other’s products and commodities,” DHL Express CEO Ken Allen said.

AeroLogic took delivery of two 777 freighters in December, bringing its fleet to four aircraft and making it the world’s largest operator of the new Boeing jet.

The carrier, which began operations last June, plans to expand its network with two new routes to Asia and the United States with the delivery of four more 777s scheduled for June, July, September and December.

AeroLogic originally intended to operate eleven 777 freighters but scaled back its plans as the global economic downturn triggered a sharp decline in air cargo traffic.

The carrier, which aims to be among Europe’s top five cargo airlines, also abandoned its target of annual revenue of $700 million in 2011 but is expected to make a profit this year.