Eurowings is currently undergoing expansion from a short-haul carrier to a long-haul operator, with flights to the Caribbean and Thailand introduced last year. Additional projects include the takeover of the services of short-haul operator, Germanwings.
The launch of long-haul operations has not been a smooth process, however. With only two long-haul A330-200s and the first flights experiencing technical problems, the subsequent delays brought the airline under scrutiny. In time, Eurowings hopes to boast a fleet of seven A330s.
According to reports, the initial difficulties encountered led the carrier to postpone further plans to launch flights to Boston and Miami, and to put a service to Tehran on hold; while parent company Lufthansa also had to take control of a flight to its third long-haul destination, Dubai.
Lufthansa Cargo plans to begin selling the space on Eurowings’ new flights from Cologne/Bonn to the Caribbean (Varadero, Cancun, Dominican Republic) and Thailand (Phuket, Bangkok) as of March 27. Alexis von Hoensbroech, Product and Sales for Lufthansa Cargo and board member for the carrier, commented on the development.
“By integrating Eurowings’ belly capacities, the services we provide our customers become all the more attractive," he explained. "Eurowings’ growing network is an ideal complement to our previous connections.”
Eurowings chief executive Oliver Wagner added: “Lufthansa Cargo is the leading cargo airline in Europe and has extensive experience in marketing the belly capacities of passenger airlines. This collaboration will help us make optimum use of the cargo holds on our long-haul jets.”
