Cargolux Airlines and Emirates SkyCargo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today putting in place a strategic operational partnership in air cargo transportation. 

The agreement between a mainline airline and a specialised freight operator is the first of its kind in the air cargo industry. 

The agreement was signed at the Air Cargo Europe event in Munich, Germany in the presence of Mr Francois Bausch, Luxembourg’s minister of sustainable development and infrastructure.

Under the terms of the agreement, Emirates SkyCargo and Cargolux will seek to work closely on a number of operational aspects. These include aircraft capacity, giving Emirates SkyCargo access to Cargolux Boeing 747F aircraft to complement its existing fleet of Boeing 777 craft.

Both carriers will further develop block space and interline agreements for use on each other’s networks permitting access to capacity on routes they do not currently operate. Also, Emirates SkyCargo will commence freighter operations to Luxembourg from June 2017 where cargo from both will be handled in the same facility. 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. 

“Emirates SkyCargo is committed to being the leading player in the global air cargo industry providing our customers with the highest standards of products and services. Cooperating with Cargolux, who is a leading, established and specialised air cargo operator with strengths that are complementary to our own will allow us to present a broader enriched product offering and add value to our customers,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo.

“Cargolux is delighted to be working with Emirates SkyCargo on this agreement. As one of the leading carriers worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo is an important player in the industry as Cargolux is, and our supplementary capabilities allow us to develop service offerings that both of us could not provide on our own,” said Richard Forson, Cargolux President & CEO. “Emirates SkyCargo’s choice of Cargolux as their preferred partner shows that our quest for quality and personal attention to customers is recognised and well received.”