Emirates SkyCargo and Cargolux Airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on May 9, for a strategic operational partnership in air cargo transportation. This unique and ground breaking agreement, the first of its kind in the air cargo industry between a mainline airline and a specialised freighter operator, will allow cooperation between two carriers with complementary strengths and shared values for customer service excellence. The agreement was signed at the Air Cargo Europe event in Munich, Germany. Under the terms of the agreement, Emirates SkyCargo and Cargolux will seek to work closely on a number of operational aspects including:
Aircraft capacity: Emirates SkyCargo will utilise Boeing 747F aircraft from Cargolux. Emirates SkyCargo will therefore continue to have access to Boeing 747F aircraft to service customers with heavy/outsized cargo that will require nose loading or adding additional capacity, complementing its own fleet of Boeing 777 freighters.
Block space and interline: Both carriers will further develop block space and interline agreements for use on each other’s networks permitting access to capacity on routes where they do not currently operate. This offers customers of both carriers an enhanced global reach for transporting cargo from key production markets to consumer markets. Cargolux will have access to Emirates SkyCargo’s high frequency distribution network through the belly-hold of passenger flights to over 150 global destinations in 83 countries, whilst Emirates will have access to main deck 747 capacity on Cargolux’s network.
Hub connectivity and cargo handling: Emirates SkyCargo will commence freighter operations to Luxembourg from June 2017. Cargo from both Emirates SkyCargo and Cargolux will be handled at the same facility in Luxembourg. Cargolux will also increase the frequency of freighters to Dubai World Central (DWC) from its current three times a week service to facilitate connectivity between the two cargo hubs. Additionally Cargolux freighters operating to Dubai World Central will be handled by Emirates SkyCargo.
