Lufthansa Cargo is to nearly double capacity at its Frankfurt Airport Lufthansa Cargo Cool Center, with the expanded facility due to open in late summer 2017.

The 4,500 square metre facility was completed in December 2011 with four cold-storage rooms for temperatures between 2-8C, 15-25C, -12 – -20C, and 5-15C, as well as a deep freeze room and direct access to the apron.

Lufthansa Cargo board member product & sales, Dr Alexis von Hoensbroech says: “After five years of success, we want more. That is why we intend to further upgrade and significantly expand our Cool Center in the coming year.”

The 3,500 square metre expansion will mean the facility covers 8,000 square metres, with construction due to start in February 2017, and existing infrastructure will also be upgraded.

Von Hoensbroech adds: “The expansion is driven by continuous growth in temperature-sensitive cargo. We are pleased that our customers are benefiting from our comprehensive experience. We want to be their first choice in the future as well.”

Lufthansa Cargo was awarded International Air Transport Association Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics certification during the summer and has also been offering its ‘Cool Control Tower’ monitoring for temperature-sensitive goods.