Lufthansa Cargo (LH, Frankfurt International) and ANA - All Nippon Airways (NH, Tokyo Haneda) are set to launch a strategic air cargo joint venture on routes between Japan and Europe and vice versa; the first worldwide cargo joint venture of its kind. The venture will allow both parties to jointly manage activities including network planning, pricing, and sales and handling on all routes between Japan and Europe and vice versa.

"Based on a joint contract, which shall be signed in the next weeks, the two carriers aim to introduce the joint approach on shipments originating from Japan to Europe in winter 2014/2015 and for shipments from Europe to Japan mid-2015," a press release stated.

In terms of regulatory approvals, ANA has received antitrust immunity from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) after filing for it in spring 2014. The joint venture has also been positively assessed by external counsel for compliance with relevant EU antitrust regulations.

The move follows that signed between ANA and Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) in 2012 targetting improved passenger throughput on flights between Europe and Japan.