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Emirates SkyCargo and United Cargo sign an MOU to expand cargo interline options that will allow SkyCargo customers access to about 500 United routes
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The MOU follows a new, historic codeshare deal between two of the largest global airlines that will start in November
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Under the MOU, Emirates and United will work towards expanding cargo interline options and blocked space agreements after receiving regulatory approvals
Emirates SkyCargo has signed a memorandum of understanding with United Cargo to expand cargo interline options that will allow the SkyCargo customers access to about 500 United routes in the US and overseas.
The MOU follows a new, historic codeshare agreement signed in September by two of the largest global airlines that will start in November.
The deal comes two and a half years after Emirates SkyCargo launched passenger freighter operations, which are cargo-only flights on passenger aircraft.
Emirates Cargo divisional senior vice-president Nabil Sultan and United Cargo president Jan Krems signed the MOU at the World Cargo Symposium – IATA event in London, UK, last weekend.
The two companies have agreed to work towards expanding cargo interline options and blocked space agreements after receiving regulatory approvals, according to the MOU.
The MOU provides Emirates SkyCargo access to more than 200 cities in the US as well as 300 cities on five continents via United Cargo.
“Emirates SkyCargo is committed to being the leading player in the global air cargo industry, providing our customers with the highest standards of products and services,” Nabil said after the signing.
“Cooperating with United, [which] is a leading airline in its own right with strengths and a network that are complementary to our own, will allow us to add value for our customers and help them reach new markets more speedily.”
The latest MOU builds on the existing cargo interline arrangements between the two firms, enabling freight customers to gain access to more capacity on a combined wider network globally.
United Cargo will have access to Emirates SkyCargo’s 11 freighters and a distribution network via the belly-hold of passenger flights to more than 100 global destinations.
“As one of the leading carriers worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo is an important player in the industry and our supplementary capabilities allow us to provide new service offerings to our customers worldwide,” Krems said.
“We share a common commitment to providing industry-leading solutions for our customers, and we look forward to working together in the future.”
Last month, Emirates implemented its pre-pandemic schedule at Manchester Airport (MAN) in the UK.
On September 14, United and Emirates unveiled the codeshare agreement under which they will sell seats on each other’s planes within the United States and around the world.
From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston – three of the biggest business hubs in the US – will be able to connect easily onto United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket.
At the eight other US airports served by Emirates – Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, John F. Kennedy, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC – both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place.
United will launch a direct flight between Newark and Dubai in March 2023. From there, customers will be able to take Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to over 100 cities.
Emirates and United announced their deal at a ceremony at a Dulles International Airport hangar in Washington DC. The event was hosted by United chief executive Scott Kirby and Emirates president Tim Clark. It showcased a United and Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and flight crews from each carrier.
