T2E: So according to your logic LH raises the rates on their 12+ remaining MD11F and all the bellies now to move the cargo to the 2 777F of Aerologic, whose capacity LH sells at the weekend? What happens with all the remaining customers? Would they pay the rates with which "LH prices itself out of the market" or would they rather go to the competition, who don't move their prices? Yes of course, they will for sure come back to Aerologic when it is in full swing in 2012 and LH's cunning plan to kill their own cargo subsidiary has come into frution...
Realistically speaking, the net yields (excluding fuel surcharges) have suffered tremendously industry-wide during the past months. Now that the market shows first signs of a bottom, it is time that the airlines take measures to improve their revenues again, otherwise the operation of freighters will not be viable anymore on many routes. From what I hear from forwarders, several airlines around the globe are currently cutting incentives, reducing frequencies and increasing rates. Lufthansa is and will not be the only one.
It is not always an attack on pilots and their company-wide work agreements... (and no, I don't work for either LH or Aerologic).