Delta, Korean Air launch cargo JV for trans-Pacific routes

July 18, 2018: US carrier Delta Air Lines Cargo and Asian carrier Korean Air Cargo have expanded their Venture partnership to include cargo services for the trans-Pacific market.

This comes after the recent implementation of the trans-Pacific Joint Venture partnership between the two airlines.

The joint venture routes, on which Delta and Korean Air carried 268 million tonnes of belly cargo in 2017, will allow customers to work with either carrier to transport shipments across a broad network of flights. The expansive combined network formed by this partnership gives Delta and Korean Air’s shared customers access to more than 290 destinations in the Americas and more than 80 in Asia.

From the US, semi-conductor production facilities, perishables and e-commerce shipments are some of the key products shipped to Seoul and throughout Asia. In the reverse direction mobile phones, automobile parts and other electronics are carried.

“The Delta and Korean Air JV means increased joint belly cargo capacity across the trans-Pacific as well as future co-location of key facilities, world-class reliability and the industry’s best customer service,” said Shawn Cole, Delta’s vice president – Cargo. “The partnership also means a host of new destinations with commercial and logistics solutions across Asia and North America for these important markets.”

“We are excited to partner with Delta to create an unrivalled air cargo network across North America and Asia. This is bolstered by Korean Air’s leading trans-Pacific air freight network, as well as Delta’s nationwide schedule and sales network within the US,” said Samsug Noh, SVP, head of Cargo Business Division, Korean Air.

Earlier this year, Delta and Korean Air co-located into the new, state-of-the-art Terminal 2 at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport.

We anticipate that Seoul Incheon will continue to grow as a major Asia gateway for Delta and Korean Air. From Seoul, Delta is the only US carrier to offer nonstop service to three major US gateways, including Seattle, Detroit and Atlanta, with service to Minneapolis launching in 2019. Korean Air provides the largest trans-Pacific air freight capacity.