Atlas and DHL to dissolve Polar Air Cargo partnership
Both Atlas Air and DHL Express have a joint venture (JV) in Polar Air Cargo, with Atlas holding a 51% stake and DHL Express owning 49%.
Atlas Air and DHL have decided to dissolve their partnership in Polar Air Cargo by 2025. Based in Purchase, New York, Polar Air Cargo operates flights to destinations across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Both Atlas Air and DHL Express have a joint venture (JV) in Polar Air Cargo, with Atlas holding a 51% stake and DHL Express owning 49%.
The cargo airline operates a fleet of six aircraft, consisting of four Boeing 747-8Fs and two Boeing 777Fs, according to data from Planespotters.net.
What is the reason?
In a statement to The STAT Trade Times, an Atlas Air spokesperson said, "As we considered the evolution of our respective companies, Atlas and DHL have mutually decided that the joint venture no longer aligns with the strategic direction of either shareholder company. This decision is very much a part of our continued transformation and is in full alignment with our One Atlas Strategy."
Atlas Air says that its “One Atlas” strategy is the culmination of a focused strategic transformation and diversification model.
The spokesperson mentioned that “ Atlas will continue to provide DHL outsourced CMI (Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) service on the two 777F aircraft currently operated by Polar, on an extended term. Atlas is redeploying the four 747-8F aircraft currently in service for DHL through Polar with other Atlas customers under long-term agreements.”
“We expect certain operations and positions to shift to Atlas and others to DHL, and will ensure continued outstanding service to Polar’s strong roster of customers. Atlas will continue to hold the Polar certificate.”
What does DHL have to say?
The DHL spokesperson said, “Polar has been a very successful commercial joint venture of Atlas and DHL since it was established in 2007. We are proud of what the Polar team has accomplished over the years as a leader in scheduled express service.”
He also mentioned, "Moving forward, DHL will continue to partner with Atlas as a carrier within its global aviation network."
Polar Air Cargo handles a wide range of cargo, including express shipments, e-commerce goods, perishable items, and high-value commodities.
The airline was founded in 1993 as a joint venture between Southern Air Transport and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).
Atlas Air has a fleet of 90 aircraft, of which 77 are currently in service while 13 are parked, according to data from Planespotters.net. The fleet includes Boeing 747-8Fs, Boeing 747-400s, Boeing 767-300Fs, and Boeing 737-800Fs.
While DHL has a total of 217 aircraft in its fleet, according to Planespotters.net, 190 are currently in service while 22 are parked. The fleet includes aircraft such as B777Fs, B767-300Fs, B767-200Fs, B757-200Fs, B747-8Fs, B737-800Fs, B737-400Fs, A330Fs, A300-600Fs and A321-200Fs.
