As a key milestone of the joint business agreement (JBA) between Lufthansa Cargo and Cathay Pacific Cargo, which was announced in May, Europe’s largest air cargo carrier has moved its local freight handling into the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal (CPCT) in Hong Kong.

The move, which took effect on 1 October, benefits customers of both carriers, with one single location for export drop-off and import delivery arrangements.

As part of the JBA, both cargo carriers are working closely together on network planning, as well as sales, IT and service enhancements, and plan to transport the first shipment under the cooperation framework from 1 February 2017 – initially from Hong Kong to Europe. The ability to also book eastbound shipments from Europe to Hong Kong will then follow in 2018.

“We are very pleased to share a handling location in Hong Kong. There will be many advantages for our customers and it represents an important milestone for the start of our partnership at the beginning of the year,” said Peter Gerber, CEO and chairman of the executive board of Lufthansa Cargo. “The teams of both airlines can now work on the optimal coordination of their handling processes.”

Simon Large, director cargo at Cathay Pacific, said: “Bringing Hong Kong, the world’s busiest international air cargo hub closer to Europe, and thereby strengthening one of the world’s great trade lanes is what our cooperation is all about. Lufthansa Cargo’s move into the Cathay Pacific
Cargo Terminal is an important first step. Thanks to the strengths of our respective networks, our customers will soon benefit from more direct connections, greater flexibility and time savings.”

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.