LUFTHANSA Cargo is set to withdraw its two MD-11Fs from Milan by the end of the year, after finding that its Italian operation could not operate at a profit.
The airline commenced direct services from Italy earlier this year after identifying a gap in the market following the demise of Alitalia Cargo and the cessation of operations by Cargoitalia.
Despite proclaiming northern Italy as a hotbed of airfreight exports and Italy as the second most important European market, disastrously low rates and insufficient volumes have caused a rethink.
Air Cargo News has learned that the airline will return the two MD-11Fs to rejoin the rest of the fleet at Frankfurt.
With Cargoitalia now commencing operations, also with MD-11Fs, the market is no longer the golden opportunity Lufthansa foresaw.
Cargolux Italia, however, is pressing ahead with plans to expand services from Milan in 2010.
The airline commenced direct services from Italy earlier this year after identifying a gap in the market following the demise of Alitalia Cargo and the cessation of operations by Cargoitalia.
Despite proclaiming northern Italy as a hotbed of airfreight exports and Italy as the second most important European market, disastrously low rates and insufficient volumes have caused a rethink.
Air Cargo News has learned that the airline will return the two MD-11Fs to rejoin the rest of the fleet at Frankfurt.
With Cargoitalia now commencing operations, also with MD-11Fs, the market is no longer the golden opportunity Lufthansa foresaw.
Cargolux Italia, however, is pressing ahead with plans to expand services from Milan in 2010.
