More direct connections, greater flexibility and time savings combined with service enhancements - these are just some of the benefits customers will enjoy in the future thanks to the cooperation between the cargo division of Cathay Pacific Airways, the leading air cargo carrier in Asia, and Lufthansa Cargo, Europe's largest air cargo carrier. Simon Large, Director Cargo at Cathay Pacific, and Peter Gerber, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Lufthansa Cargo, signed an agreement for a highly integrated bilateral cooperation in Frankfurt. With respect to the cooperation routes between Hong Kong and Europe, both airlines will in the future work closely together on network planning, as well as sales, IT and ground-handling. This will bring Hong Kong, the world's busiest air cargo hub, closer to Europe, strengthening one of the world's great trade lanes. "Our joint network will cover more than 140 direct flights per week between Hong Kong and 13 European destinations", says Simon Large. "Cathay Pacific's large number of direct connections to multiple European destinations complements Lufthansa's strength in Frankfurt, the most important European air freight hub, and in Europe through its dense feeder-network." "As a result of our joining forces, customers will 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," Gerber said. "We will also have more options for shipments which have to be transported by freighter due to their size or properties." The cooperation will also focus on service enhancements. For example, 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 make things easier for customers since there will be just one 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 joint activities will be carried out in full compliance with all applicable laws, including the competition rules of the European Union and Hong Kong. — SG
