Delta Air Lines and Korean Air are to enhance their cargo cooperation as part of the recent implementation of the trans-Pacific joint venture partnership between the two airlines.

“The Delta and Korean Air JV means increased joint belly cargo capacity across the trans-Pacific as well as future co-location of key facilities, world-class reliability and the industry’s best customer service,” said Shawn Cole [right in photo], vice president of cargo at Delta. “The partnership also means a host of new destinations with commercial and logistics solutions across Asia and North America for these important markets.”

The joint venture routes, on which Delta and Korean Air carried a total of 268 million tonnes of belly cargo in 2017, will allow customers to work with either carrier to transport shipments across a broad network of flights. The combined network formed by the partnership gives Delta and Korean Air’s shared customers access to more than 290 destinations in the Americas and more than 80 in Asia.

“We are excited to partner with Delta to create an unrivalled air cargo network across North America and Asia,” said Samsug Noh [left in photo], senior vice president and head of the cargo business division at Korean Air. “This is bolstered by Korean Air’s leading trans-Pacific air freight network, as well as Delta’s nationwide schedule and sales network within the US. I am confident that the partnership will further strengthen our capability to offer an unequalled expertise on all aspects of air cargo transportation.”

Delta and Korean Air currently transport a range of products in the trans-Pacific market, including semi-conductor production equipment, perishables and e-commerce shipments from the US, and mobile phones, automobile parts and other electronics from South Korea and the rest of Asia.

The new joint venture builds on nearly two decades of close partnership between the two airlines, both founding members of the SkyTeam alliance.

Delta and Korean Air co-located into the new Terminal 2 at Seoul’s Incheon Airport earlier this year, substantially reducing connecting times for both passengers and cargo. Single-roof warehousing is also being planned.

Delta currently flies non-stop between Seoul and Atlanta, Detroit and Seattle, and is due to launch a Minneapolis flight in 2019.