Lufthansa and ANA confirm Japan-Europe cargo JV

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Germany’s Lufthansa Cargo will launch a strategic air cargo joint venture on routes between Japan and Europe.
The cooperation between Japan’s largest airline and Lufthansa Cargo, one of the world’s largest air freight operators, has obtained antitrust immunity. On the passenger side, ANA and Lufthansa are already part of the Star Alliance network
A joint ANA and Lufthansa Cargo statement said: “This is the first worldwide cargo joint venture of its kind. ANA has received antitrust immunity, i.e. approval for the joint venture from the Japanese Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport after filing for it in spring 2014.
“In addition, the joint venture has been positively assessed by external counsel for compliance with relevant European Union antitrust regulations.”
The partners can now jointly manage activities covered by the joint venture, including network planning, pricing, sales and handling on all routes between Japan and Europe and vice versa.
Based on a joint contract, which will be signed in the "next weeks", the two carriers aim to introduce the joint approach on shipments originating from Japan to Europe in winter 2014/2015 and for shipments from Europe to Japan mid-2015.
The statement added: “The joint venture will benefit customers by generating a greater selection of routings and a wider range of service options. Customers will especially profit from a larger and faster network with more direct flights, more destinations and more frequencies.”
By moving cargo operations under one roof at major stations, such as the airports of Narita and Nagoya in Japan, and Dusseldorf and Frankfurt, customers “will enjoy the services of both airlines at a single location”.
Lufthansa and ANA launched a passenger joint venture in 2012 on routes between Japan and Europe.
ANA is the eighth largest airline in the world by revenue and the largest in Japan by passenger numbers and cargo tonnage (2013), with 1.2 million tonnes. ANA Cargo currently has ten B767Fs, hubbed out of Okinawa.
Lufthansa Cargo transported around 1.7 million tonnes of freight and mail in 2013. It has a fleet of eleven MD-11Fs and four B777Fs, based in Frankfurt.
Did you find this article of interest, if so why not register for a FREE digital subscription to Air Cargo News? – Find out more
Interested in Freighters, if so why not register to attend the Freighter & Belly Cargo World Conference ? – Find out more

Share this story

Related Topics

Latest airlines news

YunExpress targets e-commerce demand with latest 777 freighter

YunExpress has extended its agreement with lessor Atlas Air to include a second Boeing 777-200 freighter that will be used…

Read More

Share this story

WFS strikes DHL cargo deal in France

DHL Aviation has signed a new multi-year contract with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) to manage freight at its airport stations…

Read More

Share this story

AAPA: February Asia air cargo demand up 10%

Air cargo demand in Asia grew in February “as a result of business and e-commerce activity” said the Association of…

Read More

Share this story

Air Cargo News

Air Cargo News
Established in 1983, Air Cargo News is the leading source of news, information, interviews, analyses and reports to the global airfreight industry. Our leading portfolio includes print, digital and events that give businesses in the airfreight industry the ability to connect with decision-makers in this sector.