Cargolux Air Cargo Profile
Review verified carrier details, codes, cargo operations, hubs, fleet information, and network coverage where available.
Cargolux
IATA: CVLuxembourg's all-cargo flag carrier, founded 1970, flying about 30 Boeing 747 freighters from hubs at Luxembourg (LUX) and Zhengzhou (CGO).
Cargolux Airlines International S.A. is the all-cargo flag carrier of Luxembourg and one of the largest scheduled freighter operators in Europe. It was founded on 4 March 1970 by Luxair, the Icelandic carrier Loftleidir and other partners, and began operations later that year. The airline uses the IATA code CV, the ICAO code CLX and the callsign CARGOLUX, and is headquartered in Sandweiler at Luxembourg Airport. It has always been a pure freight operator, carrying no passengers, and built its network around long-haul widebody freighters serving trade lanes between Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Cargolux at a glance
- Headquarters
- Sandweiler, Luxembourg
- Founded
- 1970
- IATA / ICAO code
- CV / CLX
- Cargo fleet
- All-cargo fleet of about 26 Boeing 747 freighters at the main airline: 14 Boeing 747-8F, 6 Boeing 747-400F and 6 Boeing 747-400ERF, with a further 4 aircraft operated by subsidiary Cargolux Italia, for roughly 30 across the group. Ten Boeing 777-8F freighters are on order with options for six more to replace the ageing 747-400 fleet. As an all-cargo carrier there is no passenger belly capacity.
- Cargo hubs
- Luxembourg (LUX), with a second hub at Zhengzhou (CGO) in China
- Alliance
- Independent
- Main cargo routes
- Europe to Asia, transatlantic to North and Latin America, Europe to Africa and the Middle East, plus the Luxembourg to Zhengzhou Air Silk Road corridor
- Official website
- www.cargolux.com
About Cargolux
Cargolux Airlines International S.A. is the all-cargo flag carrier of Luxembourg and one of the largest scheduled freighter operators in Europe. It was founded on 4 March 1970 by Luxair, the Icelandic carrier Loftleidir and other partners, and began operations later that year. The airline uses the IATA code CV, the ICAO code CLX and the callsign CARGOLUX, and is headquartered in Sandweiler at Luxembourg Airport. It has always been a pure freight operator, carrying no passengers, and built its network around long-haul widebody freighters serving trade lanes between Europe, Asia and the Americas.
The fleet is built entirely around the Boeing 747. Cargolux operates about 26 jumbo freighters, made up of 14 Boeing 747-8F aircraft, 6 Boeing 747-400F and 6 Boeing 747-400ERF, with roughly 30 aircraft across the group once subsidiary Cargolux Italia is counted. Cargolux was the launch customer for the 747-8 freighter, taking its first delivery in 2011. To replace the older 747-400s, the carrier has ordered 10 Boeing 777-8F freighters with options for six more. As an all-cargo airline it moves everything in dedicated main-deck and lower-hold freighter space rather than passenger belly capacity.
Cargolux runs a twin-hub model. Luxembourg (LUX) is the primary base, one of the busiest cargo airports in Europe, while Zhengzhou (CGO) in Henan province serves as a second hub for the Asia-Pacific region, established after Chinese investor HNCA took a 35 percent stake in 2014 as part of the Air Silk Road initiative. Its shareholders include Luxair, HNCA, the Luxembourg State and Luxembourg banking institutions, and it remains an independent carrier outside the global passenger alliances. The airline specialises in outsize and heavy freight, live animals, temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals and perishables, dangerous goods and general cargo across a network of around 90 destinations.
Using this airline profile
Use the IATA and ICAO codes, cargo division, hubs, and network information on this page to identify the operating carrier and confirm shipment details with Cargolux or your freight forwarder.
Cargolux air cargo FAQ
Where is Cargolux based and who owns it?
Cargolux is the all-cargo flag carrier of Luxembourg, founded in 1970 and headquartered in Sandweiler at Luxembourg Airport. Its shareholders include Luxair, the Chinese investor HNCA, which holds a 35 percent stake acquired in 2014, the Luxembourg State and Luxembourg banking institutions. It is an independent carrier and is not part of a single corporate airline group.
What freighters does Cargolux operate?
Cargolux flies an all-cargo fleet built around the Boeing 747, comprising about 14 Boeing 747-8F, 6 Boeing 747-400F and 6 Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft, roughly 26 at the main airline and around 30 across the group with Cargolux Italia. It was the launch customer for the 747-8F and has ordered 10 Boeing 777-8F freighters, with options for six more, to renew the fleet.
What are the Cargolux IATA and ICAO codes and main hubs?
Cargolux uses the IATA airline code CV and the ICAO code CLX, with the radio callsign CARGOLUX. Its primary hub is Luxembourg (LUX), and it operates a second hub at Zhengzhou (CGO) in China supporting the Air Silk Road corridor between Europe and Asia.