Archives



Air, Freight News


Lufthansa signs Cathay cooperation deal

[ May 12, 2016   //   ]

Lufthansa Cargo, Europe’s largest scheduled airfreight carrier, has signed a cooperation agreement with Hong Kong-based the cargo division of Cathay Pacific Airways, the biggest carrier in Asia.

Customer benefits include more direct connections, greater flexibility and time savings combined with service enhancements, said Cathay cargo director Simon Large, and Lufthansa Cargo director, Peter Gerber, as the signed the agreement in Frankfurt.

Simon Large said: “Our joint network will cover more than 140 direct flights per week between Hong Kong and 13 European destinations. Cathay Pacific’s large number of direct connections to multiple European destinations fits perfectly with Lufthansa’s strength in Frankfurt, the most important European air freight hub, and in Europe through its dense feeder-network.”

“By joining forces, customers gain access to unique flexibility with more flights to choose from and a combination of feeder and direct flights. In this way their cargo can reach its destination hours earlier”, added Peter Gerber. “We will also have more options for shipments which have to be transported by freighter due to their size or properties.”

Customers will be able to access the entire joint network via the booking systems of both partners. Joint handling, initially at the Hong Kong and Frankfurt hubs, will also give a single point for export drop off and import delivery.

Both partners plan to transport the first shipments under the framework of the cooperation from early next year – initially from Hong Kong to Europe. The ability to also book eastbound shipments from Europe to Hong Kong will then follow in the course of the year.

The deal follows a similar agreement between Lufthansa cargo and Japan’s All Nippon Airways.

Tags: ,