Freight Airlines Launch Cargo JV


(Americas-Europe) Transatlantic Network of More Than 600,000 Tonnes

Freight carriers Air France-KLM Cargo, Delta Air Lines Cargo and Virgin Atlantic Cargo have partnered to launch a new transatlantic joint venture.

The new partnership represents 23 percent of total transatlantic cargo capacity, equivalent to more than 600,000 tonnes annually, and is expected to boost options for breakbulk delivery. The joint venture expands the existing collaboration between Air France-KLM Cargo and Delta Cargo.

“We are very excited to welcome Virgin Atlantic Cargo ... The combined network means more choices and value for our customers as we align our services to enable seamless transfers and further streamlining of transport times. This enhanced joint venture offers the most and best transatlantic options ever in the cargo industry,” said Adriaan den Heijer, executive vice president of Air France-KLM Cargo.


First Step

The enhanced network will be built around the airlines’ hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York-JFK, Paris, Seattle and Salt Lake City.

“This announcement is just the first step in the journey. Our customers can expect additional benefits as we evolve our partnership further to deliver best-in class customer experience and operational reliability, with differentiated products and services that are tailored and developed to make it easier to do business with the four airlines,” said Shawn Cole, vice president at Delta Cargo.


Greater Connectivity

The partners will develop new digital solutions "to reduce duplication and drive efficiencies" as a result of greater connectively between the airlines’ systems. Customers will also be able to access co-located customer service centers to enhance cargo delivery experience.

“Our great partnership with Delta has already enriched the benefits we offer to our customers. With our expanded JV with Air France-KLM Cargo, we are even more excited about the benefits we will be bringing for our customers as we work with like-minded partners to deliver greater value across our outstanding trans-Atlantic network," said Dominic Kennedy, Virgin Atlantic Cargo’s managing director.

The combined cargo network of the joint venture partners will offer up to 341 peak daily transatlantic services. This network comprises 110 nonstop routes with onward connections to 238 cities in North America, 98 in Continental Europe and 16 in the UK.
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