Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and China Southern Cargo have signed a strategic network partnership agreement which gives the two carriers wider access to each other’s networks.

The agreement enables the two SkyTeam partners to use capacity on each other’s passenger and freighter flights between China and Europe, as well as to additional destinations beyond their respective hubs.

The agreement also covers interline networks through special prorate agreements.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo will be able to serve Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney through China Southern’s passenger flights, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on China Southern Cargo’s freighter flights.

In the same way, China Southern Cargo will be able to use capacity on Air France and KLM’s passenger flights from Paris and Amsterdam to Lagos and North and South Atlantic markets such as Atlanta, Buenos Aires, Miami and São Paulo.

The transfer process will be made smoother and more seamless for the two carriers by using each other’s ground-handling facilities, according to Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and China Southern Cargo will also enhance their cooperation in the handling of express and mail packages to cope with the rise in e-commerce between Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world.