Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, and MASkargo have announced a bold new partnership at air cargo Europe that seeks to redefine global logistics, customer experience, and even humanitarian aid delivery through a fusion of networks, operations, and purpose-driven goals.

“This isn’t just a collaboration,” declared Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo. “The three of us are the leaders in the industry. And I’m about to explain why.”

Drusch laid out the foundation of the alliance on what he called “three pillars”: a unified global network, seamless operational efficiency, and a strong philanthropic commitment. 

The combined fleet of over 900 aircraft—including 30+ dedicated freighters—will cover more than 400 destinations across six key global hubs: Dublin, Heathrow, Madrid, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, and one more to be confirmed. That level of integration, Drusch emphasized, is more than logistical; it’s transformational.

“This is unparalleled,” Drusch said. “We’ve done this on the passenger side for decades. Now we’re doing it on the cargo side for the first time. With this network, a small business in Borneo can now ship to Indianapolis. That opens up global trade in a way nobody else can offer.”

The alliance unlocks up to 90,000 unique origin-and-destination pairings—routes that were previously fragmented or inaccessible.

“What does that mean?” he asked rhetorically. “It means empowering small businesses in Indonesia, Kenya, Ecuador. It means making global expansion not just possible—but practical.”

Seamless cargo, loyal ecosystem

While the scale of the network is significant, the partnership is equally focused on removing the operational friction that has long plagued the cargo world. David Shepherd, CEO of IAG Cargo, took the stage to explain how this new partnership isn’t merely a network play—it’s a customer revolution.

“Everything we do here is about the customer,” Shepherd said. “From the moment of booking through to final delivery, this alliance will offer a level of choice and ease that’s simply never been available before in the air cargo world.”

He was candid about the challenges that have historically held back cargo partnerships. “Cargo is harder to connect than passengers,” Shepherd said. “Freight doesn’t find its own way. So unless you’ve got the systems, the co-location, and the mindset to make it seamless, you get friction—and that’s where things have broken down in the past.

“Our booking platforms—whether it’s MASkargo, IAG, or Qatar—will be integrated,” he said. “A single booking will be visible and accessible across our entire network. That means real-time tracking, uniform service levels, and eventually, unified product offerings.”

A phased alignment of service products, particularly around sensitive freight like pharmaceuticals, will ensure consistency and predictability across the joint network. This level of integration, Shepherd believes, will rival what’s been accomplished in passenger alliances.

“And then there’s the loyalty program,” he added, with a confident smile. “We’re leveraging the Avios currency—one of the most powerful in aviation. Customers will earn and redeem across the entire alliance. That’s not just logistics—that’s loyalty.”

Beyond cargo

More than just delivering within the airfreight industry, the announcement reflects a shared sense of humanitarian mission.

“We’re not just delivering cargo,” said Mark Jason Thomas, CEO of MASkargo. “We’re delivering hope.”

The three carriers committed a collective 1,000 metric tons of free cargo capacity over the next three years to the World Food Program (WFP), enabling the distribution of critical food and supplies to some of the hardest-to-reach regions in the world. That includes conflict zones and disaster-struck regions where conventional supply chains fail.

“Speed, precision, and reliability are non-negotiable when lives are on the line,” Thomas emphasized. “With our combined network and capabilities, we can deliver what’s needed—when and where it’s needed most.”

Virginia Arribas, Deputy Director of Private Partnerships at the World Food Programme, echoed this sentiment in an emotional appeal that underscored the impact of logistics on human life.

“Logistics is the lifeline,” she said. “In countries like Afghanistan, Sudan, Gaza, and Ukraine, this kind of support doesn’t just help. It saves lives. With this partnership, we’ll be able to reach deeper, faster, and more efficiently than ever before.

“It’s more than logistics. It’s humanity in motion.”