Lufthansa Cargo, Singapore Airlines and SAS Cargo reach accord on intensive cooperation in airfreight.

Lufthansa Cargo, Singapore Airlines and SAS Cargo reach accord on intensive cooperation in airfreight. - New Global Cargo potential future world-leading airfreight logistics system Lufthansa Cargo, Singapore Airlines and SAS Cargo are stepping up cooperation in the air cargo business. The three cargo carriers represented by Lufthansa Cargo Chairman, Stefan Lauer; Hwang Teng Aun, Senior Vice-President Cargo, Singapore Airlines; and Peter Grönlund, Vice President and General Manager of SAS Cargo have signed an integration accord in Frankfurt. The move follows the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding in March last year, in which the three carriers agreed to conduct a feasibility study into how to achieve better integration in the airfreight sector. This has led to their decision to implement New Global Cargo, the first stage in what could become a seamless worldwide airfreight network. The New Global Cargo partners will make access to coordinated international networks easier for customers by establishing a common information technology infrastructure. They will also offer a portfolio of harmonised air cargo products through synchronised sales activities, subject to regulatory approvals. Additionally, the three cargo airlines will work quickly to standardise their handling processes to minimise any disruption in the transport chain. At the signing of the agreement, the three pioneers of New Global Cargo were optimistic about their new venture. Lufthansa Cargo Chairman, Stefan Lauer, underlined the importance of this customer-driven cooperation: "New Global Cargo could well mark the emergence of one of the future world-leading airfreight logistics networks. "Our signing of the integration accord will pave the way to optimising the quality of our networked services. In a team effort over the next two years we will establish innovative standards, focussing our efforts on e-commerce, to measure up to that challenge and gradually integrate our skills to attain that goal." Hwang Teng Aun, Singapore Airlines' Senior Vice-President Cargo, spelt out the objective of the three carriers' cooperation: "With New Global Cargo we will improve the freight transport experience for our customers. By aligning our products, processes and services we will achieve more consistency and flexibility both locally and globally, and will therefore be able to provide better solutions to our customers." For SAS Cargo, New Global Cargo is an excellent opportunity of assuming an active role in forging a platform for the development of an integrated airfreight system. "This will create decisive advantages for our customers and owners and generate new opportunities for the SAS staff, "said Peter Grönlund, Vice President and General Manager SAS Cargo. The signing of the New Global Cargo agreement establishes closer links between three cargo carriers that already hold a significant position in the world market. SAS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/31/20030731BIT01610/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/07/31/20030731BIT01610/wkr0002.pdf