Zürich, 22 December - Recently, the 1st SAF-compensated cargo shipment departed from Barcelona, heading to Zurich, with Narita as the final destination. The flight represents an important milestone for Swiss WorldCargo, as it brings the division a significant step closer to SAF leverage and, thus, to a greener future in aviation.

Swiss WorldCargo’s 1st SAF-compensated cargo shipment left Barcelona, heading to Zurich. According to the Swiss WorldCargo colleagues supervising the transfer process at the Zurich airport, the handling went smoothly, and the cargo could proceed to its final destination, landing safely and on time in Narita. The successful delivery of this life-saving medicines shipment was also made possible by the professional coordination of the forwarding agent PHSE, a leading company in pharmaceutical logistics.

The cargo flight was carefully planned, focusing on the specific handling requirements crucial for the shipment’s transportation, with timing being of utmost importance: a fast turn-around was guaranteed, and the shipment arrived on time in Narita. Swiss WorldCargo gladly witnessed a growing willingness of its customers to compensate for the carbon emissions of their cargo shipment. The division is therefore thrilled to announce the successful delivery of the 1st SAF-compensated shipment on its network.

The compensated cargo shipment is only the 1st of a regular series of SAF-compensated cargo transport that the customer has agreed to ship with Swiss WorldCargo until the end of March 2023. 

Swiss WorldCargo

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s largest air carrier. With one of Europe’s most advanced and carbon-efficient aircraft fleets, SWISS is a premium airline that provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its Swiss WorldCargo division offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value, time-critical and care-intensive consignments. As The Airline of Switzerland, SWISS embodies its home country’s traditional values and is dedicated to delivering the highest product and service quality. The company has also committed to the ambitious climate goals of halving its 2019 net carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and making its operations entirely carbon-neutral by 2050, particularly by promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.

Zürich, 7 October - Gieri Hinnen, currently Head of Labour Relations & HR Steering at SWISS, has decided to take on a new challenge within the company: he will become Head of Global Cargo Sales on 1 February 2023. In his new capacity, Gieri will be in charge of Swiss WorldCargo’s commercial division. He succeeds Alexander Arafa, who will be entering early retirement at the end of 2022 after 28 years working in various roles at Swissair, SWISS and Lufthansa Group.

Gieri began his SWISS career when he joined the External Affairs unit in 2009. He then went on to take over SWISS Strategic Communications, before holding his current position as Head of Labour Relations & HR Steering within Human Resources since 2017.

In his new function, Gieri will work with Swiss WorldCargo sales organisation to continue to provide best-in-class airfreight services and solutions to our cargo customers worldwide, helping the division achieve its ambitious revenue and contribution margin objectives. As a member of the Cargo Management Team, Gieri will also contribute to defining Swiss WorldCargo’s future strategic direction concerning sustainability, forward-looking innovations and digitalisation in our airfreight activities.

“I am really pleased that we have secured Gieri’s services for this role,” says Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo. “And I am convinced that, with his broad knowledge and solid experience within SWISS and the airline sector, he will play a vital part in giving our business a successful and sustainable future.”

Swiss WorldCargo also takes the opportunity to thank Alexander Arafa for his outstanding dedication and valuable work in the past years.

Swiss WorldCargo

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s largest air carrier. With one of Europe’s most advanced and carbon-efficient aircraft fleets, SWISS is a premium airline that provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its Swiss WorldCargo division offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value, time-critical and care-intensive consignments. As The Airline of Switzerland, SWISS embodies its home country’s traditional values and is dedicated to delivering the highest product and service quality. The company has also committed to the ambitious climate goals of halving its 2019 net carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and making its operations entirely carbon-neutral by 2050, particularly by promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.

Zürich, 31 May - Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo announce today the entry of Swiss WorldCargo into the airlines’ joint business agreement, providing cargo customers with more direct connections, more flexibility and more time-saving. 

The entry of Swiss WorldCargo builds on the joint business agreement signed in 2016 between Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo which enables the two airlines to cooperate in terms of sales, pricing, contracts, and the handling of shipments between Hong Kong and Europe.

Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa Cargo already have a close collaboration on international lanes via their hubs in Hong Kong and Germany, while the handling of cargo in Hong Kong is coordinated under one roof at the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal of Hong Kong International Airport.

Under the expanded joint business agreement, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa Cargo, and Swiss WorldCargo will work closely together on network planning, as well as on sales, IT and ground handling. Initially, the airlines will cooperate on traffic from Hong Kong to Zurich and Frankfurt, with traffic to and from Hong Kong and the rest of Europe planned to be included later this year.

Cargo customers will be able to access the entire joint network via the booking systems of all three partners.

Cathay Pacific Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “We are delighted to welcome Swiss WorldCargo into our joint business agreement. Cathay Pacific is always looking for more ways to give our cargo customers greater choice and more options for shipments whenever they fly their goods with us.

“The addition of Swiss WorldCargo’s flights to the already large combined network of Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa will further bring Hong Kong, the world’s busiest air cargo hub, closer to Europe and strengthen one of the world’s great trade lanes.”

Lufthansa Cargo CEO Dorothea von Boxberg said: “We are very pleased about the trilateral cooperation just starting, bringing three well known cargo carriers to the table and making our customers an even more attractive offer. Cargo customers will appreciate the opportunities for quicker and easier shipping. The expanded joint venture will generate numerous benefits for our customers because our networks, our hubs and our fleet complement each other effectively.”

Swiss International Air Lines Head of Cargo Lorenzo Stoll said: “We are very excited to be entering this joint business agreement between Lufthansa Cargo and Cathay Pacific Cargo, thanks to which we can not only strengthen our already close collaboration, but also expand our network offering to our customers, while staying true to our high quality and flexibility.”

The joint activities will be carried out in full compliance with all applicable laws, including the competition rules of the European Union and Hong Kong.