Lufthansa Cargo, SWISS WorldCargo, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore expanded air freight cooperation between Japan and Europe.
The framework renews dialogue between Lufthansa Cargo and ANA—whose previous Japan–Europe cargo joint venture was suspended in September 2023 during ANA Holdings’ cargo restructuring—while expanding the scope to include SWISS WorldCargo and NCA.
Scope of Proposed Collaboration
The four carriers will assess operational integration across their combined passenger bellyhold and maindeck freighter fleets:
- Expanded Joint Venture Framework: Evaluates the resumption and expansion of the original 2014 Lufthansa Cargo–ANA joint venture into a four-carrier partnership.
- Network and Capacity Optimisation: Focuses on aligning flight schedules, broadening routing alternatives, and pooling cargo capacity across key Japan–Europe corridors.
- Customer Flexibility: Aims to deliver greater service choices and streamlined transit options for time-critical and care-intensive shipments.
Executive Perspective
Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, noted that bringing SWISS WorldCargo and Nippon Cargo Airlines into discussions with long-term partner ANA will leverage their combined networks and brand strengths to deliver broader flexibility for customers between Japan and Europe.
Alain Chisari, Head of SWISS WorldCargo, stated that pairing SWISS’s European network and specialised handling capabilities with the partner carriers will expand transport solutions for time-critical and care-intensive air freight.
Kenichi Wakiya, Executive Vice President of Cargo Marketing & Services at ANA and CEO of ANA Cargo, emphasised that broadening the joint venture dialogue to include SWISS WorldCargo and NCA enables the carriers to address diverse customer logistics demands more effectively.
Hiroyuki Homma, President and CEO of Nippon Cargo Airlines, added that NCA will contribute its dedicated maindeck freighter expertise and established Japan–Europe presence to complement the partners’ networks with expanded capacity and flexible routing.
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