Lufthansa Cargo to kick off Natal route

On Saturday, Lufthansa Cargo will launch a route that flies to Europe and Africa through Natal, Brazil – what company officials describe as an emblematic route that showcases how the German carrier is trying to refine its South American network for more direct connections.

Specifically, the Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F will fly Frankfurt–Dakar–São Paulo Viracopos (VCP)–Natal–Dakar–Frankfurt once a week.

But it is Natal, the second stop in Brazil for Lufthansa Cargo after VCP, that is key. The carrier decided just two weeks ago that it would add the stop on the far eastern coast of Brazil, which is literally on the way to Europe. Achim Martinka, vice president, the Americas, at Lufthansa Cargo, said Natal’s geographical location means there would be “no expensive detour on the way back to Frankfurt.”

Lufthansa Cargo will pick up in Natal seasonal products, such as passion fruit, papaya and limes, for the European market.

With the addition of Natal, Lufthansa Cargo will operate this summer a total of 372 weekly flights in the Americas – a mix of passenger and maindeck routes – with a total of 7,290 tons of capacity, the company said.