LUFTHANSA experienced a four per cent increase in airfreight, rising to 136,000 tons in February year on year, with growth driven by double-digit gains in the Americas, offsetting slower gains on Asia Pacific routes.The German carrier said it is "systematically" transferred cargo capacity from Asia to the Americas, having increased it 14 per cent year on year with sales rising 13.3 per cent.

Traffic on Americas routes climbed 10.8 per cent in February to 37,000 tons and the load factor increased by a marginal 0.4 points to 75.1 per cent.

Traffic on Asia/Pacific routes grew one per cent over February 2006 to 34,000 tons, while capacity was cut 4.4 per cent. Revenues fell 2.2 per cent. The load factor gained 1.7 points to 74.4 per cent.

European short haul traffic, carried primarily on Lufthansa's passenger aircraft, rose by 2.6 per cent to 56,000 tons. On the other hand, Middle East/Africa freight movements slid 3.4 per cent to 9,000 tons.

During the first two months of the year, Lufthansa Cargo, the airline's dedicated airfreight carrier, moved 267,000 tons, up 5.4 per cent over the same period a year ago.