Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo and Malaysia Airlines Maskargo are set to form a global joint cargo business under a plan announced on April 22nd.
At this stage, the arrangement details are lightweight and the partnership will be subject to regulatory approval, but the partners say it will bring “opportunities for streamlined product delivery, enhanced connectivity, speed of transport times, and new routing opportunities across the broad network combined.”
It also suggests that customer benefits come from three businesses that combine expertise and resources.
“Today is a key milestone in our continued efforts to redefine the world's air cargo landscape,” says Mark Drush, Chief Cargo Officer at Qatar Airways. “This contract brings together three strong players to provide unparalleled service and global connectivity, strengthening our commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence.”
Once approved, partners hope that new ventures will launch “in the near future.”
All three companies airlines fly cargo with passenger jet belly holds, Qatar Airways has 28 Boeing 777 cargo ships and Mascargo has three Airbus A330-200 cargo ships.
The relationship between the three businesses is already supported by OneWorld membership in IAG's British Airways and Iberia, but Qatar Airways holds a 25% stake in IAG.
“Strategic collaboration” in the freight market is amid concerns over the outlook for global trade. This follows US President Donald Trump's move to increase tariffs across the board.
