Northwest Air Cargo has reached an agreement with DHL on a guaranteed block space contract through 2011 that will maintain DHL as one of Northwest’s top customers.

The multi-year contract will extend the long-standing business relationship between NWA Cargo and DHL. Northwest will continue to provide a key air freight link for DHL’s shipmentsbetween Asia and the US.

The new revenue agreement will place DHL traffic on Northwest’s network of passenger and freighter flights creating new operating efficiencies. Northwest and DHL will also work together on ground handling and facilities at multiple locations.

"Northwest Cargo and DHL have enjoyed a long, prosperous relationship and this new agreement is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to them as a key customer," said Tom Bach, President NWA Cargo. "Today’s announcement is consistent with our strategic plan to realign our international business by modifying our network to better serve our customers."

The latest agreement resurrects NWA Cargo’s fortunes after an announcement late last year put its cargo future into question after it was indicated NWA Cargo would no longer be carrying DHL cargo.

Northwest is the largest cargo carrier among US passenger airlines and in addition to carrying freight and international mail on its passenger aircraft, NWA Cargo operates a fleet of 12 Boeing 747 freighters.

The freighters are dedicated to Pacific operations, connecting major Asian cargo gateways through Northwest’s cargo hub in Anchorage to key cargo markets throughout the UnitedStates.