Emirates SkyCargo and United Cargo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering closer collaboration in a number of areas, including expanding cargo interline options and blocked space agreements.

The MoU follows on the heels of a new broader historic commercial agreement the two airlines, who said their aim was to deliver benefits to air freight customers around the world.

The MoU was signed at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in London, UK, this week by Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, cargo and Jan Krems, president of United Cargo. It builds on existing cargo interline arrangements between both air cargo operators and offers freight customers access to more capacity on a larger combined global network, the partners said.

“Emirates SkyCargo is committed to being the leading player in the global air cargo industry providing our customers with the highest standards of products and services,” said Sultan. “Cooperating with United, who is a leading airline in its own right with strengths and a network that are complementary to our own, will allow us to add value for our customers and help them reach new markets more speedily.”

Krems commented: “United is pleased to work with Emirates SkyCargo on this MoU. As one of the leading carriers worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo is an important player in the industry, and our supplementary capabilities allow us to provide new service offerings to our customers worldwide. We share a common commitment to providing industry-leading solutions for our customers and we look forward to working together in the future.”

United Cargo will have access to Emirates SkyCargo’s distribution network through the belly-hold of passenger flights to over 100 global destinations and 11 freighters, whilst Emirates SkyCargo will have access to over 200 cities in the US and 300 cities across five continents through United Cargo.

The new interline options and blocked space agreements would be subject to regulatory approval.