IAG, MASkargo, Qatar Cargo complete first trilateral shipment
The three airline carriers have completed their first trilateral shipment, moving 11 tonnes of copper foil from Kuala Lumpur to Chicago via Doha and Dublin, ahead of the launch of their Global Cargo Joint Business.
IAG Cargo, MASkargo and Qatar Airways Cargo have completed a trial shipment involving all three carriers, marking a key milestone ahead of the planned launch of their Global Cargo Joint Business later this year.
The first trilateral customer shipment involved 11 tonnes of copper foil transported from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) via Doha (DOH) and Dublin (DUB). The trial demonstrated how cargo can move across the three airlines’ hubs and networks through coordinated operations.
Copper foil is a key material used in advanced electronics and electric vehicle battery production. The shipment from Malaysia, a major electronics manufacturing hub, highlighted the potential of the joint business to connect production centres with major global demand markets.
Announced in 2025, the Global Cargo Joint Business will bring together the three cargo carriers to create an integrated network spanning more than 400 destinations across six continents once fully launched. Customers are expected to benefit from increased routing options, greater network flexibility, and more streamlined access to international markets.
David Shepherd, Chief Executive Officer at IAG Cargo, said, “Completing our first trilateral customer shipment is a significant milestone as we continue preparations for the launch of the Global Cargo Joint Business, which will redefine international air cargo. Alongside our partners, we have been aligning our operations, systems and expertise to create a Joint Business that works seamlessly across our combined networks. As we progress towards full launch, our focus remains on delivering a coordinated proposition that provides tangible benefits for customers across the global air freight market.”
Mark Jason Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at MASkargo, said the milestone demonstrates the potential of the partnership to connect businesses with wider global opportunities by combining the strengths of the three cargo carriers. He added that the first shipment from Malaysia across the partners’ networks highlights the collaboration’s potential to strengthen links between Asia’s production centres and global demand markets. As the joint business moves towards its launch, the carriers will focus on expanding market access, improving flexibility and delivering long-term value for customers.
Qatar Airways Cargo Chief Officer Cargo Mark Drusch said the successful movement of the trilateral shipment demonstrated the operational alignment, connectivity and customer-focused approach that will form the foundation of the Joint Business. He added that the collaboration aims to provide customers with a more streamlined and connected cargo experience by combining the carriers’ complementary networks and expertise, offering greater global reach, routing flexibility and operational efficiency.
Earlier this year, IAG Cargo was appointed as the ground handling agent for Qatar Airways Cargo in Dublin and Madrid, two strategic hubs for the planned Joint Business. The move follows the introduction of MASkargo’s handling operations at London Heathrow last year, further supporting the operational integration of the three carriers.
The airlines will continue conducting operational trials and integration activities ahead of the planned launch of the Global Cargo Joint Business later this year. Customers can currently book shipments through the online booking platforms of all three carriers.
