News / Transatlantic 'revolution' as AF-KLM, Delta and Virgin cargo businesses link up

Shippers and forwarders will receive better connections, routing options, trucking facilities and digital solutions, claims a new transatlantic joint venture from Delta Cargo, AF-KLM Cargo and Virgin Atlantic Cargo.

The JV represents some 23% of total transatlantic cargo capacity, some 600,000 tonnes annually, with a network of 341 peak daily services and 110 non-stop routes.

The alliance was agreed by the US Department of Transportation in November, despite protests from Kalitta Air and JetBlue and from the American Antitrust Institute, a Delta pilots’ group and Travel Fairness Now.

The partners said in a statement today that the expanded JV “enables greater co-operation between the airlines, focused on delivering world-class customer service and reliability on both sides of the Atlantic, achieved through co-located facilities, joint trucking options as well as seamless bookings and connected service recovery.

“The airlines already co-locate at warehouses in key US, UK and European airports and will review opportunities to co-locate further at more airports around the globe.”

Adriaan den Heijer, executive vice president of AF-KLM Cargo added: “We are very excited to welcome Virgin Atlantic Cargo to the successful transatlantic joint venture between Air France-KLM Cargo and Delta Cargo.

“The combined network means more choices and value for our customers as we align our services to enable seamless transfers and further streamlining of transport times. This enhanced joint venture offers the most and best transatlantic options ever in the cargo industry.”

The group’s transatlantic flights offer onward connections to 238 cities in North America, 98 in mainland Europe and 16 in the UK, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York-JFK, Paris, Seattle and Salt Lake City.