AeroLogic Ready For Take-Off With Low-Emission Aircraft

• DHL Express – Lufthansa Cargo joint venture airline starts operations
• Most efficient air cargo and express link between Europe and Asia
• First B777 low-consumption wide-body freighter operating out of Germany
• First commercial flight on June 29

AeroLogic, the joint venture cargo airline of DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo, recently officially started operations. With the delivery of its first Boeing 777F aircraft and receiving the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the German Aviation Authority (LBA), AeroLogic will serve new air routes between Europe and Asia, flying cargo for customers of its parent companies.

AeroLogic was set up to offer highly reliable and efficient air transport services on the Europe–Asia trade lane, which is expected to grow by approximately five percent annually in a mid term perspective. The airline will initially serve the express routes Leipzig – Bahrain – Singapore – Delhi – Leipzig on weekdays and the cargo routes Leipzig – Tashkent – Hong Kong – Tashkent – Leipzig on weekends. By 2010, the airline will gradually expand the network to offer new direct connections to most of Asia's major metropolitan areas.

AeroLogic will operate with eight leased brand new B777F freighters, the first four of which are expected to be delivered this year. Due to its advanced fuel-saving and environmental friendly engine and wing technology, the B777F is the most modern wide-body long-range freighter currently available. It has a maximum payload capacity of 103 tons and can fly distances of over 9000 km, which enables non-stop flights from AeroLogic's home base Leipzig, Germany, to key Asian growth markets, thereby reducing the running time of shipments.

"The new airline shows a strong commitment of both partners to extend their services for their customers and to establish a new strong global player in the industry," said Wolfgang Mayrhuber, chief executive officer of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. "In light of an inevitably recovering market, the strengthening of vital trade lanes through the cost-efficient shared use of the most modern freighter aircraft currently available must be viewed as a smart investment," said Frank Appel, chief executive officer of Deutsche Post DHL. "We are making available to our customers the most efficient air freight capacity in the market, while at the same time proving that we are serious about our continued commitment to improving the group's environmental footprint, in line with our GoGreen strategy and the announced 30 per cent carbon efficiency improvement target by 2020," Appel added.

Cargo capacities will be marketed individually by the two partners In addition to the Europe - Asia routes, in the future it will also serve Lufthansa Cargo's EU-North America routes. The first commercial flight of AeroLogic is scheduled for June 29, 2009.

Additional Quotes:

Charlie Dobbie, Executive Vice President Global Network and Operations at DHL Express: "Through the new cargo airline, DHL Express underlines its commitment to providing highly reliable and industry leading services to its customers. Using the most modern technology available, DHL Express is able to further expand its global lead in the Time Definite International express business."

Carsten Spohr, CEO Lufthansa Cargo: "The B777F is regarded as the most environmentally-friendly freighter, because this aircraft type sets itself apart with its low fuel consumption and a low noise level in comparison with other aircraft of this size. It is also the most modern and efficient aircraft currently available for long-haul intercontinental freight flights. We are proud to have it in our fleet."

Thomas Pusch, Managing Director AeroLogic: "Building up an airline from scratch in a time like this requires the will to take unconventional approaches," said Thomas Pusch, Managing Director AeroLogic. "For example, we needed to acquire the aircraft at a time when there were actually none available. In the end we achieved this through an innovative leasing agreement, which is beneficial for all parties involved."

Thomas Papke, Managing Director AeroLogic: "Setting up AeroLogic's operation was a challenging task, as the freighter version of the B777 is a brand new aircraft type and we are the first airline to operate this aircraft under a German AOC. We have been lucky to find the right people for AeroLogic, people who are dedicated, with the right attitude, and who have broad experience and professional knowledge to set up this airline in such a short time."

About AeroLogic GmbH
AeroLogic GmbH is a joint company owned by DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo AG, each with 50-percent shares. The company was founded in September 2007 with headquarters in Schkeuditz/Leipzig and emerged from the joint venture started between the two partners in 2004. The company currently has more than 80 employees, including pilots. An estimated 200 jobs are to be created by AeroLogic, about 80 percent of these in the cockpit. The AeroLogic fleet is to comprise eight leased Boeing 777F's, the first four being scheduled for delivery in 2009. The freight capacities of AeroLogic will be used by DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo. The two companies are also responsible for sales, warehousing and handling.

About DHL – The Logistics company for the world
DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and "The Logistics company for the world". DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and 310,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 54 billion euros in 2008.

About Lufthansa Cargo AG
Lufthansa Cargo ranks among the world's leading cargo carriers. In the 2008 financial year, the airline transported around 1.70 million tonnes of freight and mail and clocked up 8.3 billion revenue tonne-kilometres. The company currently employs about 4,600 people, worldwide. Lufthansa Cargo focuses on the airport-to-airport business. The cargo carrier serves some 300 destinations in 90 countries in a global network with its own fleet of freighters, the belly capacities of Lufthansa's passenger aircraft and an extensive road services network. The bulk of the freight transported by Lufthansa Cargo is trans-shipped through Frankfurt. Lufthansa Cargo is a wholly-owned Lufthansa subsidiary. In the 2008 financial year, it posted revenues totalling 2.9 billion euros.

SOURCE: AeroLogic and Lufthansa Cargo