Lufthansa Cargo and All Nippon Airways (ANA) Cargo have expanded their joint network in Japan by adding services – just as the carriers celebrate one year since their partnership kicked-off.

As of today, 1 December they have started servicing industrial metropolis Fukuoka, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu.

This Japan to Europe service will eventually be followed by one to Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Lufthansa Cargo area manager for Europe and Africa, Carsten Wirths says: “Thanks to the joint venture we can connect the wide European network of Lufthansa Cargo, with the direct connections of both partners to Japan and the continental de-feeder flights of ANA.

“Customers of both partners in Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain and Austria will benefit.“

ANA Cargo project manager for cooperations, Yukata Terao explains: “Fukuoka and its region are important centres for the steel and automotive industries, as well as for semiconductor technology, electronics, environmental and biotechnology.

“These are sectors which substantially profit from airfreight.”