United Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo have launched their air cargo joint venture with the two airlines jointly managing sales and bookings from 3 May.

Starting on selected routed from the USA, Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany, the carriers are now jointly managing sales and bookings of standard and express shipments.

They will expand the geographical scope in the coming months and plan to include additional products and features in the future.

Lufthansa Cargo chairman and chief executive officer, Peter Gerber says the joint venture will provide enhanced value to customers, saying: “The combination of the two strong networks offers new routing options. The co-location of our warehouses, in Munich for example, is an additional benefit, with customers needing only one location for export drop-off and import delivery.

“Aligned processes and quicker transfers between separate warehouses also lead to streamlined transport times.”

United Cargo president, Jan Krems adds: “Through our joint venture, United and Lufthansa Cargo offer transatlantic shippers more options that produce these benefits – including increased frequencies on a combined network accessible through either partner’s booking channels. Our aligned teams and processes also deliver the superior service quality essential to our customers’ success.”