Both carriers embark on a new strategic cooperation to enhance customer value. This will be achieved by jointly creating operational synergies and upping commercial activities. The carrier’s electronic booking system for air freight is also to be unified.
A key point from Swiss WorldCargo’s perspective is that both brands will continue to exist side by side and thus independently. To be clear: Swiss WorldCargo will not become Lufthansa Cargo, despite the announced intensified cooperation. This means that Swiss Air Lines’ cargo division will escape the fate of Lufthansa subsidiaries, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, which no longer have their own cargo divisions and whose air freight business is managed by Lufthansa Cargo from its Frankfurt headquarters. A future candidate for this model is the Italian airline, ITA, whose cargo personnel have already been taken over by Lufthansa Cargo and whose customers already book their shipments via Lufthansa Cargo’s booking tool (e-booking) for most intercontinental ITA routes.
SkyChain or e-booking – only one platform will survive
It remains to be seen whether the Lufthansa Cargo IT-system, which has been online since AUG25, or its counterpart, SkyChain, at Swiss WorldCargo will establish itself as a uniform platform. SkyChain, which replaced the old IT platform ‘SwissWorks’ just a few days ago, is said to have been launched with great success, according to the Swiss cargo airline.
Different product priorities
The joint release stresses that both partners will focus on their proven strengths when it comes to products.
Swiss WorldCargo has made a name for itself as a premium carrier. It wants to keep it that way by concentrating on high-value, care-intensive, time-critical air freight items, transported in the bellies of its passenger fleet and offering personalized and high-quality services across more than 130 destinations worldwide. Lufthansa Cargo describes itself as the efficiency leader with a global capacity offering of both belly and freighter capacity, and a broad network, leading in digitalization and well-known for its innovative solutions, reads the carriers’ joint release. Retaining both individual brands and combining their unique strengths into a more distinct and comprehensive product and service portfolio will benefit customers and partners, both carriers reason.
Combined network
“We are building on the complementary strengths of Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss WorldCargo – two brands with distinct identities, shared values, and a continuous commitment to quality and care. By combining our capabilities, expertise, and market presence, we will create new, industry-leading synergies and provide greater value to our customers. Together we are shaping the future of specialized and premium air cargo services across our combined network,” says Alain Chisari, Head of Swiss WorldCargo.
The joint press release does not address the impact that the intensified cooperation will have on corporate communications. However, as both companies will continue to operate as independent brands under their respective names, which also applies to the cargo business of Swiss subsidiary, Edelweiss, there will probably still be two press departments based in Frankfurt and Zurich respectively. There is also no indication of whether parts of Lufthansa Cargo’s B777F long-haul fleet will take off from Zurich in the future or even be stationed there.
In the end, the customers benefit, claim the carriers
“Thanks to deeper cooperation, customers will have access to one of the broadest networks in the industry along with a wide product portfolio with highest quality combined with many years of expertise. We are very pleased to be able to offer our customers even more tailored solutions for the transport of their freight. By aligning the two organizations even closer, we further strengthen Lufthansa Groups’ purpose of connecting people, cultures and economies in a sustainable way,” explains Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo.
As former head of Swiss WorldCargo (2015-2021), the now announced close strategic and operational cooperation of the two freight carriers is likely to be very much in his interests.
