Lufthansa Cargo (LH, Frankfurt International) has signed a joint-partnership agreement with Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International) following a ceremony held in Frankfurt this week.

Under the terms of the deal, the two carriers have pledged to cooperate on routes between Hong Kong International and Europe and beyond, as well as sales, IT and ground handling. Customers will be able to access the entire joint network using either partner's booking platform.

“Our joint network will cover more than 140 direct flights per week between Hong Kong and thirteen European destinations," Simon Large, Director (Cargo) at Cathay Pacific, said. “Cathay Pacific’s large number of direct connections to multiple European destinations fits perfectly with Lufthansa’s strength in Frankfurt International, the most important European air freight hub, and in Europe through its dense feeder-network.”

The first shipments to be handled under the cooperation agreement are expected to be transported early next year; from Hong Kong to Europe initially with eastbound shipments to follow later on in the year.