Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo have announced Swiss WorldCargo's entry into the airlines' joint business agreement, giving freight customers more direct connections, greater flexibility and greater time savings.

“Swiss WorldCargo's entry builds on the joint business agreement signed in 2016 between Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo, allowing the two airlines to collaborate on sales, pricing, contracts and handling of shipments between Hong Kong and Europe ," according to a statement from Cathay Pacific.

Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo already work closely together on international routes through their hubs in Hong Kong and Germany, while cargo handling in Hong Kong is coordinated under one roof at Hong Kong International Airport's Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal.

“Under the expanded joint business agreement, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss WorldCargo will work closely together on network planning, as well as sales, IT and ground handling. Initially, the airlines will work together for traffic from Hong Kong to Zurich and Frankfurt with traffic to and from Hong Kong and the rest of Europe slated to be incorporated later this year." Cargo customers will have access to the entire joint network through the booking systems of all three partners, the statement said.

Lufthansa Cargo CEO Dorothea von Boxberg added: “We are very excited about the trilateral partnership that has just begun, bringing three well-known freight forwarders to the table and providing our customers with an even more compelling offer. Cargo customers will appreciate the opportunities for faster and easier shipping. The expanded joint venture will bring many benefits to our customers as our networks, hubs and fleet complement each other effectively.”

Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo, Swiss International Air Lines said: “We are very pleased to enter into this joint business agreement between Lufthansa Cargo and Cathay Pacific, which will allow us to not only strengthen our already close cooperation, but also our network to our customers, while staying true to our high quality and flexibility."

The joint activities will be conducted in full compliance with all applicable laws, including the competition rules of the European Union and Hong Kong, the statement said.