International Airlines Group (IAG), Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Qatar Airways provided more details on their planned air cargo joint venture (JV), saying the partnership is targeted to go into effect in late 2025.
IAG Cargo, MASkargo and Qatar Airways Cargo plan to coordinate routes and systems to create an expansive global cargo network. IAG’s cargo operation already includes coordination between five subsidiaries: Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL and Vueling.
Multiple governments must approve the JV—first unveiled in April—which the companies said in a June 2 statement “will deliver new routing opportunities, increased operational agility and unparalleled connectivity for customers across the global airfreight market ... The partners remain focused on obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals and are progressing toward the scheduled launch in late 2025.”
The joint business will initially focus on “key cargo markets” in the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, India, Europe and the Americas, and will add more markets “in future phases, in line with regulatory approvals,” according to the carriers.
“The three carriers will be working to progressively align systems, processes and commercial offerings to ensure a smooth rollout,” the companies said. “Streamlined products, services, enhanced digital solutions and a combined ... loyalty proposition are expected to form part of the collective offering in due course.”
IAG, MAS and Qatar Airways are all Oneworld members.
In addition to joint air route planning, the carriers intend to also coordinate ground handling and trucking. The three carriers added they will “enter into individual agreements” with the UN World Food Program (WFP) and “propose to provide in total 1,000 [metric tons] of free tonnage to support WFP in the delivery of essential food supplies and commodities.”
IAG Cargo CEO David Shepherd said the JV’s “single network” will allow for “new connections which unlock new commercial opportunities.” He added, “This network will be more efficient, reliable and coordinated than anything offered through traditional interline agreements.”
MASkargo CEO Mark Jason Thomas said the joint business represents “more than network expansion,” adding, “It’s about transforming how cargo moves worldwide.” While MASkargo has traditionally focused on “connecting Asia with the world, this collaboration takes us further,” he said.
The companies said they will provide “more updates ... as the go-live date approaches.”
Qatar Airways Cargo operates a fleet of 28 Boeing 777 freighters and has access to belly capacity on 230 passenger aircraft. Its network spans more than 60 freighter destinations and 170 belly cargo passenger destinations.
Neither IAG Cargo nor MASkargo operates dedicated freighters. IAG Cargo utilizes the belly capacity of 601 passenger aircraft. MASkargo’s network spans over 100 destinations utilizing belly cargo. It operates cargo terminals at 11 airports throughout Malaysia.
Related Content
