BERLIN - German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG says it will reduce emissions and fuel consumption with the introduction of a new lightweight cargo container.

Lufthansa said Monday the new plastic containers are up to 15 per cent lighter than traditional aluminum ones.

They'll be used both for transporting passengers' luggage below deck, as well as for cargo shipments.

Tests show the new containers need fewer repairs than the aluminum ones.

Lufthansa says it will start introducing the new containers this fall and replace a total of 5,000 smaller containers by the end of 2015. Other types of containers using the same technology are also being developed.

The airline says the change will lower its fuel use by 2,180 tons per year, and reduce annual C02 emissions by 6,867 tons.