newstodate.aero
Nov 1, 2007 (newstodate): While Aeroflot Cargo has been allowed to resume operations at their German hub in Frankfurt-Hahn since October 30, Lufthansa Cargo is still denied access to Russia's airspace since October 28.
-The ban forces us to re-route our 49 weekly freighter flights to our transit hub at Astana at the penalty of extra three hours flying time and additional fuel consumption, which is indeed a drain on profitability, says Peter Schneckenleitner, Lufthansa Group spokesman.
-The ban also affects flights to our Uzbek hub at Taskent. We still manage to operate all flights, however, although with delays and higher costs.
-In contrast to some claims, we have consistently filed all applications and transferred all royalty payments according to normal procedures, so we see no explanation for the Russian decision to ban freighter flights by Lufthansa Cargo, which remains the only carrier to be barred from Russian airspace.
-To us, the situation is a political issue, and should be handled at political level, says Mr Schneckenleitner.
-The ban forces us to re-route our 49 weekly freighter flights to our transit hub at Astana at the penalty of extra three hours flying time and additional fuel consumption, which is indeed a drain on profitability, says Peter Schneckenleitner, Lufthansa Group spokesman.
-The ban also affects flights to our Uzbek hub at Taskent. We still manage to operate all flights, however, although with delays and higher costs.
-In contrast to some claims, we have consistently filed all applications and transferred all royalty payments according to normal procedures, so we see no explanation for the Russian decision to ban freighter flights by Lufthansa Cargo, which remains the only carrier to be barred from Russian airspace.
-To us, the situation is a political issue, and should be handled at political level, says Mr Schneckenleitner.