Four questions to Hasso Schmidt and Franz Zöchbauer, Managing Directors of the new Austrian Lufthansa Cargo

OS034 DEL - VIE was the first Austrian Airlines flight ran under new management. This made it the first freight transportation of OS with LH- airwaybill number under commercial responsibility of Lufthansa Cargo - Austrian Lufthansa Cargo GmbH, the new joint venture of Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo thus got off to a successful start.

Mr Zöchbauer, Mr Schmidt, on 1st July the new joint venture company Austrian Lufthansa Cargo GmbH started operations in Vienna. How do you feel at the moment?

Franz Zöchbauer: We feel good. The first freight was sent on its way to Vienna on 1st July. Of course, at the moment the atmosphere is tense and we are hoping that the transition will go as smoothly as possible. All in all we are optimistic, however. The decisive factor is that we can now finally get started operationally. Sales has already been acquiring freight since the beginning of June and processed corresponding bookings.

In only a very short time you have virtually founded a new airline - only without aircraft. A major challenge ...

Hasso Schmidt: Yes, the process was extremely complicated and complex, as a transition from a new system to an existing one always involves much more effort than an actual new foundation. Of course, you are right that there was very little time. For that we reason, we are all the more grateful to all concerned for the extraordinary effort which was made in the last few months and weeks.

How will Austrian Lufthansa Cargo present itself in the market in future? Is it rather Lufthansa Cargo or Austrian Cargo or a mixture of both?

Franz Zöchbauer: Austrian Lufthansa Cargo is a mixture of the two airlines, or rather a mutual supplementation according to the motto "Best of both worlds". That is the basis of the strength of the company and the employees. The framework is defined by the Lufthansa Cargo products and processes.

What are the advantages that arise for the customers?

Hasso Schmidt: Austrian Cargo customers were already very service-orientated in the past and enjoyed a flexible service. These advantages and the customers know-how of the Austrian cargo employees will now be combined with the strengths of Lufthansa. The joint customers will now be offered an even more extensive offer. They can make use of the complete Lufthansa product portfolio even on the routes of Austrian Airlines. Austrian Airlines customers who have not worked with Lufthansa Cargo up to now, will be given access to the partner programmes of Lufthansa Cargo.