AIR CARG O WEEK


EUROPEAN CARGO F


NOT JUST BOXES: THE DELICATE BUSINESS OF FLYING SEMICONDUCTORS


BY Anastasiya SIMSEK


08


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“As chip performance continues to advance, capital equipment is becoming more precise, valuable and delicate.”


rom wafer-thin chips to massive lithography tools, the semiconductor supply chain runs on fragile cargo and rigid schedules. Few industries place higher demands on airfreight, and Lufthansa Cargo has spent decades refining its approach to meet them.


“Each of these product categories comes with distinct transport


and handling requirements depending on the production stage,” says André Schulz, Head of Region Europe at Lufthansa Cargo. This complexity means that moving semiconductors is not just


about capacity — it’s about precision handling, environmental control, and timing. A minor shock or a few degrees of temperature deviation can render entire batches unusable, especially when dealing with uncut wafers, photomasks, or sensitive optics. To address this, Lufthansa Cargo has developed what Schulz calls a “modular system of specialised logistics solutions.” These include:


• Active temperature control with advanced container tech • Passive temperature support, such as thermal covers, insulation, and climate-controlled storage


• Secure handling for dangerous or high-value goods • Fast-track options for urgent or replacement shipments


“Whether it’s wafer transport, the shipment of delicate optics, or large-scale machinery for chip production, our capabilities ensure semiconductor cargo moves safely, reliably, and in compliance with industry standards,” Schulz explains. This modularity is crucial in a sector where no two shipments are alike.


Temperature and humidity tolerances vary sharply depending on the production stage. Optical components require vibration protection, while capital equipment may involve outsize dimensions, weight challenges, or customs sensitivities. Generic airfreight solutions don’t cut it.


When precision meets pressure While technical expertise is critical, timing is equally


vital.


Semiconductor production follows tightly choreographed steps, often involving dozens of suppliers across multiple continents. Air cargo is the connective tissue that holds this web together — especially when delays in one link can stall entire production lines downstream. Items such as capital equipment, wafers, and photomasks are “highly


susceptible to shocks, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations,” Schulz says. That makes them poor candidates for road or rail, particularly for time-sensitive flows. “Air freight plays a critical role


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in this segment, especially for shock-sensitive goods, which are best transported with as little road exposure as possible.” While some intra-European flows are trucked, Lufthansa Cargo


works closely with its customers to assess trade-offs and, when necessary, shift to short-haul air routes supported by A321 freighters. These smaller aircraft offer more flexibility than standard bellyhold options — particularly when servicing secondary production hubs or time-critical repair flows. Lufthansa’s broader network now spans over 350 global destinations,


with streamlined transit at its main European hubs. “Our teams are trained to handle delicate semiconductor cargo with precision and care,” Schulz adds. These measures aim to reduce dwell time, manual handling, and temperature fluctuations — key risk factors in the semiconductor logistics chain. As Europe scales up domestic chip production through initiatives like


the EU Chips Act, demand for specialised logistics is not just rising — it’s becoming more complex. From high-performance GPUs and silicon photonics to capital equipment for AI and quantum computing, the cargo types themselves are growing more delicate, more expensive, and more critical. “Yes, we are seeing a clear increase in demand for high-security,


temperature-stable, and time-critical transport solutions linked to the electronics and semiconductor sector,” Schulz says. “As chip performance continues to advance… capital equipment is becoming more precise, valuable and delicate.” This rising demand is not just about scale — it’s about alignment.


Lufthansa Cargo is tailoring its infrastructure, staffing, and product development to meet these new specifications. The shift also affects where capacity is deployed: as Eastern European and smaller Western European fabs come online, Lufthansa Cargo’s multi-hub strategy — spanning Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Brussels, and now Rome — gives it the agility to adapt. In July 2025, Lufthansa Cargo became the first airline to join Silicon


Saxony, Europe’s largest microelectronics cluster. The move wasn’t just symbolic. It was a bid to get closer to customers and understand needs earlier in the cycle. By


directly engaging with chipmakers through working groups


and forums, the carrier aims to stay ahead of emerging logistics requirements — not just at the point of booking. Early engagement allows for better packaging design, route planning, and service configuration. And as Schulz points out, “Our participation… offers valuable insights into their evolving logistics needs.”


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