Four Airlines Explore Japan–Europe Cargo Cooperation

Lufthansa Cargo, SWISS WorldCargo, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Nippon Cargo Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to explore cooperation in air cargo between Japan and Europe. The carriers will assess potential collaboration; the agreement does not establish that joint operations will begin.

Key details

• The proposed assessment covers network connectivity, routing and capacity options, flexibility, and service choices for customers shipping between Japan and Europe.
• The carriers will consider whether the previous Lufthansa Cargo–ANA cargo joint venture could resume, with SWISS WorldCargo and Nippon Cargo Airlines included in the discussions.
• Lufthansa Cargo and ANA established a cargo joint venture for the Japan–Europe market in 2014. The reported account says the cooperation was suspended in September 2023 after a restructuring of ANA Holdings’ cargo business.

The four carriers are assessing network connectivity, routing and capacity options, flexibility, and customer service choices.

Why it matters

The four carriers are assessing ways to connect their networks and consider routing and capacity options for Japan–Europe shipments. Their discussions bring SWISS WorldCargo and Nippon Cargo Airlines into consideration alongside Lufthansa Cargo and ANA.