Qatar Airways Group and Malaysia Aviation Group have further extended their long-standing partnership as oneworld partners by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo, the cargo airline and subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, to enhance their cargo offering and boost operational synergies.

This MoU follows the expanded codeshare agreement signed in 2022 between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines to offer increased connectivity to their passengers.

Under the joint cargo business agreement, both airlines will leverage each other's network strengths and fleet capacity to increase cargo offerings.

MASkargo customers will have access to the extensive global Qatar Airways Cargo network, while Qatar Airways Cargo customers will have access to the growing Asia Pacific market, including new destinations and additional capacity in existing stations.

The airlines will also be able to leverage both hubs, Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), as strategic stops to serve the combined network.

The announcement noted that this partnership is also enabled by the planned growth of Qatar Airways Cargo handling capabilities at its new and expanded Cargo Terminal in Doha.

Both airlines are also aligned in their growth strategies.

As the launch customer of the Boeing 777-8 freighter, Qatar Airways Cargo has purchased 34 aircraft and has options for 16 more.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Airlines has obtained 20 new A330neo aircraft for passenger flight operations.

The aircraft belly-hold capacity will be used for cargo purposes.

"Our new MoU with Malaysia Aviation Group is a testament to our deepening relations with Malaysia and the integral APAC market. This strategic cooperation with our oneworld partner will serve to link our freighter and belly-hold networks with our cargo product offering and capacity, allowing us to further cement our relationship and foster the close links between our airlines," said Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, group chief executive at Qatar Airways.

Izham Ismail, group managing director of Malaysia Aviation Group, said expanding the partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo marks a significant milestone for MASkargo.

"This collaboration will not only enhance our product offering and operational capabilities but also solidify our position in the global cargo market. By leveraging each other's strengths, we are poised to deliver unparalleled service to our customers and achieve remarkable growth together," he added.

Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines launched their codeshare cooperation in 2004 and have expanded the partnership in recent years.

Today, it comprises 62 codeshare destinations in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Africa.

In 2022, Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines signed a strategic MoU to further enhance their passenger airline partnership.