Lufthansa Cargo, Air France-KLM-Martinair squeak by with marginal growth in December

This week, two of Europe’s largest cargo carriers, Lufthansa Cargo and Air France-KLM-Martinair, released their results for December 2018, in which both saw increased traffic, despite an industry-wide plateau in peak-season demand – each reporting revenue-tonne-kilometer (RTK) growth of 0.4 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.

While the marginal increases are an achievement in themselves, in the currently tepid, post-holiday market, they still aren’t cause for celebration, considering that, at the height of peak season, growth should be at its highest. Recall 2017, when Lufthansa reported a 5.8 percent year-over-year increase during December.

In a recent report, IATA said the European market has been influenced by “weaker manufacturing conditions for exporters and shorter supplier delivery times,” especially in Germany.

Both carriers are becoming names in the digitalization of airfreight, moving forward with their own initiatives to modernize traditionally paper-based processes, like electronic air waybills and online booking of freight capacity. Last month, Air France-KLM-Martinair launched its own offering, “myCargo,” following Lufthansa’s various digital initiatives, which began early last year.