It has been suggested that Cargolux destinations be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2011.

Cargolux Boeing 747-400F

A Boeing 747-8F destined for Cargolux on a pre-delivery test flight.

Cargolux Airlines International S.A., trading as Cargolux, is a cargo airline with its head office on the grounds of Luxembourg – Findel Airport in Sandweiler, Luxembourg.^[1] It is one of the largest scheduled all-cargo airlines in Europe with a global network. Charter flights and third party maintenance are also operated.^[2]

History[link]

The airline was established in March 1970 by Luxair, the Salen Shipping Group, Loftleiðir and various private interests in Luxembourg. It started operations in May 1970 with one Canadair CL-44 freighter with services from Luxembourg to Hong Kong. Over the next two years, the airline grew, as did its public visibility.^[3]

By 1973, Cargolux had five CL-44s and made the leap into the jet age by acquiring a Douglas DC-8. This enabled the company to speed up its cargo deliveries. In 1974, Loftleiðir and Cargolux amalgamated their maintenance and engineering departments, and by 1975, Cargolux enjoyed the new facilities of new central offices and two hangars.

In 1978, the airline began to take shape into the company it is today. The CL-44s began to be retired and the airline ordered its first Boeing 747s. In that same year it also began flying to other places in Asia, as well as to the United States. In 1979, as the company concluded its first decade, its first Boeing 747s were delivered.

In 1982, China Airlines became the first airline company to sign a strategic alliance with Cargolux. 1983 saw the introduction of CHAMP (Cargo Handling And Management Planning) and the start of some charter passenger flights for the Hajj pilgrimage.

1984 saw the departure of the last Douglas DC-8 in the fleet and the addition of a third Boeing 747. Lufthansa bought a 24.5% share of the airline in 1987 and Luxair increased its share to 24.53%.

1988 saw the birth of Lion Air, a passenger charter airline established by both Cargolux and Luxair. The airline had two Boeing 747s but Cargolux's venture into the charter airline world proved unsuccessful and soon Lion Air folded.

Despite that setback, Cargolux made it into the 1990s in proper financial shape. It added two more Boeing 747s in 1990, as a way of celebrating its 20th anniversary, and in 1993, three Boeing 747-400Fs arrived at Luxembourg. 1995 saw Cargolux have a year-long celebration because of its 25th anniversary and Heiner Wilkens was named CEO and President.

In 1997, Luxair was able to increase its share to 34%, while in September 1997 Lufthansa sold its 24.5% to Sair Logistics and Swiss Cargo made a cooperation agreement with the Luxembourg company. 1998 saw Sair Logistics increase its share to 33%.

By 1999, Cargolux's fleet had reached double figures, with 10 Boeing 747s. In 2000 a route was opened to Seoul, South Korea, and in 2001 Wilkens decided to step down as President and CEO of the air company.

In October 2010, the chief executive of Cargolux was indicted on suspicion of price-fixing;^[4] In November 2010, Cargolux was fined, for price-fixing, by the European Commission.^[5]

On 8 September 2011, Qatar Airways purchased a 35% share in the company making it the second largest shareholder after Luxair (43.4%). The other shareholders are the Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat (10.9%) and the Société Nationale de Crédit et d'Investissement (10.7%).^[6]

Cargo 2000 an industry group within IATA, consisting of some 80 major airlines, freight forwarders, ground handling agents, trucking companies and IT providers. Announced on the 15th of March 2012 at its annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, that Cargolux Airlines International S.A. has gained Cargo 2000 platinum membership status 2012.^[7]

Incidents and accidents[link]

• On January 21, 2010, Flight 7933, operated by Boeing 747-400F LX-OCV struck a vehicle on landing at Luxembourg-Findel International Airport. The van suffered major damage and the aircraft sustained a damaged tire. Three investigations have been launched into the incident.^[8]

Fleet[link]

As of March 2011 the Cargolux fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 10.1 years:^[9][10]

See also[link]

	Luxembourg portal
	Companies portal
	Aviation portal

• Aviation

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cargolux

• Cargolux official website

v t e Airlines of Luxembourg Cargolux Luxair Luxaviation West Air Luxembourg