Emirates SkyCargo and Qantas Freight will offer customers “seamless access” to each other’s networks with marketing cargo capacity to a combined total of 233 ports across six continents (subject to regulatory approval).

Under the Emirates and Qantas partnership, Emirates SkyCargo and Qantas Freight will cooperate on cargo capacity on each other’s passenger services offering freight customers of both airlines new trade and business opportunities.

“This partnership will offer customers a range of benefits including increased frequencies, more options and flexibility, and ultimately improvements through the creation of seamless connections to more destinations,” said Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo, Ram Menen. “SkyCargo customers from around the world will initially have access to 28 destinations on Qantas Freight’s network including ten ports in Australia and eight destinations in Asia.”

Executive Manager Qantas Freight Enterprises, Lisa Brock, said Qantas will expand its network to include 65 Emirates destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia connecting these with Qantas’ existing network of 80 destinations in Australia through interline arrangements.

The amount of destinations could be extended to reach the airlines’ combined networks.

“With the introduction of seamless connections between our domestic and international network, we will offer unmatched access for Australian exporters and global businesses wishing to reach markets in Australia,” Ms Brock said.

“Our time sensitive cargo customers shipping between Australia and Europe can now connect via Dubai as a one stop service to provide their customers with a faster and more efficient product. For both Emirates’ and Qantas’ long term general cargo customers in Singapore we are able to offer both an extensive range of options to the UK and Europe and an unmatched offering to in-demand destinations across Australia.”

The agreement to cooperate on cargo services will form part of the commercial co-operation under the Master Co-ordination Agreement between the two airlines and is subject to the same regulatory approvals.

Both Qantas Freight and Emirates SkyCargo customers can now book cargo capacity on Emirates and Qantas flights operating between Australia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa from 31 March 2013.

All cargo arriving in Dubai on Qantas flights from Australia or London will be handled through Emirates’ state of the art Cargo Mega Terminal at Dubai International Airport.

Subject to regulatory approvals, Emirates and Qantas will offer over 90 services per week from Australia to Dubai from 31 March.