The Cool center that Lufthansa opened today is as cool as the mood regarding Frankfurt's night ban on flights imposed by a German Court.
A red ribbon, a pair of scissors, two simultaneously performed cuts, and Executive Board member Andreas Otto along with Senior VP Product Management Monika Wiederholt had officially inaugurated Lufthansa Cargo’s new Cool Center at Rhein-Main airport this Tuesday. The facility comprises 5,000 square meters and offers a variety of cool rooms for different products like vaccines, biomedical items or medications. Its direct apron access assures rapid operational processes.
For years, pharmaceuticals have been Lufthansa Cargo’s fastest growing and most successful product, increasing annually by 15 percent on average. “They account for almost ten percent of our total turnover,” stated Herr Otto. Even during the global economic downturn in 2008/09, the decline was marginal due to high and continuous consumer demand, making these goods almost crisis resistant.
“By offering our clients this state-of-the-art center, we set the trends in transporting and handling pharmaceuticals and don’t just follow trends,” added Joerg Bodenroeder, the competence center’s Director, at a press meeting. Asked about the price LH Cargo has spent to build and equip the facility with the latest technologies, he spoke of “around six million euros.”
The decision for the expenditure was made last year by the carrier’s executive board in order to be best in class when it comes to pharmaceuticals. “If we had known that our home base, Frankfurt, would have been hit by an imposed night flight curfew, we would have frozen this investment until a final decision on night flights was taken,” said Otto when asked.
Currently, the global market for pharmaceutical products comprises almost one trillion euros, with temperature-sensitive products accounting for approximately 20 percent of the total sum. The biggest consumer market is the U.S. with per capita expenditures of 820 dollars annually on average. In comparison, each person in China spends only 13 dollars per year on drugs, generics or medicines. The leading producer is India, with a high industrial concentration in and around Hyderabad. That’s why in December 2010, LH Cargo and GMR Group, the operator of Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi Airport, decided to jointly announce developing the airport into a main hub for for the transport of temperature-sensitive goods and pharmaceuticals in Southeast Asia.
Otto stressed that without night flights, adequate global supply chains of pharmaceuticals can no longer be operated successfully by his airline. “Our clients are highly irritated by the court’s decision, but continue supporting us as much as they can since they understand the difficult situation with which we are confronted.” However, if the ban is not overturned, LH Cargo will inevitably lose customers.
“In that case, our U.S. business especially would be highly endangered because of our night flights from Germany to the States,” warned Nils Haupt, head of communication. Whether or not any night operations will be possible at Rhein-Main is to be decided in March or April of next year by the judges of Germany’s Federal Administrative Court.
Source: Heiner Siegmund/Flossie, Flying Typers
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