Four airlines sign memorandum of understanding to strengthen network connectivity, assess additional capacity and routing opportunities, and expand air freight options between Japan and Europe.
- Enhancing cooperation in the air cargo market between Japan and Europe
- Four carriers sign Memorandum of Understanding aims to enhance cooperation between Japan and Europe
- Discussions focus on greater network connectivity as well as additional routing and capacity options
- The cooperation aims to offer customers greater flexibility and more service choices
Lufthansa Cargo, SWISS WorldCargo, All Nippon Airways and Nippon Cargo Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an aim to enhance cooperation in the air cargo market between Japan and Europe. The MoU built on the past alliance between Lufthansa Cargo and All Nippon Airways provides a framework for the four carriers to assess potential areas of collaboration and evaluate how their complementary networks and capabilities could create additional value for customers.
Lufthansa Cargo and All Nippon Airways have a long-standing history of cooperation. In 2014, the two companies established a cargo joint venture covering the Japan-Europe market. Following restructuring activities within ANA Holdings’ cargo business, the cooperation was suspended in September 2023. Building on the foundation established by the two companies to date, Lufthansa Cargo and All Nippon Airways are entering a new phase of dialogue to explore the potential resumption of their cargo joint venture, including SWISS WorldCargo and Nippon Cargo Airlines.
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Joining forces for greater connectivity
The four carriers will assess opportunities to create added value for customers with greater network connectivity between Japan and Europe, additional routing and capacity options, as well as enhanced flexibility and service choices.
“Japan is an important market for Lufthansa Cargo, and our long-standing relationship with All Nippon Airways has enabled us to serve customers reliably for many years. Together with SWISS WorldCargo and Nippon Cargo Airlines, we now want to explore how we can leverage our respective brand strengths, networks and expertise to create even greater value for our customers. By offering even more options and flexibility between Japan and Europe, we are further delivering on our mission of Enabling Global Business,” says Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo.
“Europe and Japan are both key markets for customers that rely on trustworthy, high-quality air cargo services for care-intensive and time-critical shipments. Bringing together our strong European network and specialized cargo expertise with the capabilities of our partners could provide customers with an even broader range of transport solutions,” says Alain Chisari, Head of SWISS WorldCargo.
“All Nippon Airways and Lufthansa Cargo have built a strong foundation over many years. We are pleased to renew our dialogue and broaden our cargo joint venture to include Swiss WorldCargo and Nippon Cargo Airlines. By bringing together the individual strengths of all four carriers, we aim to respond even more effectively to the diverse logistics needs of customers in Japan and Europe,” says Kenichi Wakiya, Executive Vice President, Cargo Marketing & Services, All Nippon Airways & CEO, ANA Cargo.
“Nippon Cargo Airlines leverages extensive experience in dedicated freighter operations and a strong presence in the Japan-Europe cargo market as we join forces with our partners. We are fully committed to complementing the networks, aiming to provide customers with expanded capacity and flexible routing solutions,” says Hiroyuki Homma, President & Chief Executive Officer, Nippon Cargo Airlines.
