Finnair Cargo has become the latest carrier to join IAG Cargo’s innovative Partner Plus programme, through which members agree to interline on each other’s metal on a commercially booked basis. Through this partnership, both IAG Cargo and Finnair are able to deliver enhanced network connectivity to their customers, who will also benefit through confirmed bookings and a higher on-load priority.

Steve Gunning, CEO of IAG Cargo, commented: “Our Partner Plus programme is much more than a standard interline programme where capacity is usually only held for partners on a standby basis. Rather this is hugely cost effective means of growing our network reach through commercially active agreements where we aim to treat our partners’ cargo as we would a customers’.

“The benefit for customers is clear and with the addition of Finnair we are now able to deliver enhanced connectivity to key destinations through a partner that matches our values of customer service excellence and operational reliability.”

The addition of Finnair to the programme will provide IAG Cargo with additional capacity across the globe, including to strategic destinations in the Asia Pacific region. Finnair’s customers meanwhile will benefit from IAG Cargo’s network strength into the Americas and Africa.

Juha Järvinen, managing director of Finnair Cargo, commented: “This closer cooperation with IAG Cargo will provide our customers better access to many markets beyond our own network.”

In total, six carriers now form the Partner Plus programme, including Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, the Avianca group and American Airlines.