LH Cargo
Perhaps someone can confirm this, but I remember reading an article in the cargo press a year or two ago in which it was said that only 25% of LH freight is actually flown using their dedicated freighter fleet (MD-11F and occasionally wet leased 747F's). The other 75% is flown as belly freight on the LH PAX fleet and other star alliance aircraft?
Assuming the above is accurate, then even if LH does dispose of its dedicated freighter fleet in the near future, their network will not be greatly affected (i.e. the network could be adjusted accordingly before a fleet disposal).
I am sure that the LH cargo pilots could be switched to the PAX fleet, as I understand there is still a shortage of pilots?
My own opinion is that even after we exit the current worldwide recession/depression, there will be a "new normal" in global cargo markets, which will result in considerably lower volumes on most routes, when compared to the "go-go" years from 2003-2007.
Perhaps LH cargo management are just pre-empting this scenario?