Japan Airlines is to switch its cargo-handling partner at Frankfurt airport from Fraport Cargo Services to LUG from July.

The deal comprises bellyhold freight on JAL’s daily Boeing 777-300ER and B787-900 (Dreamliner) and road feeder services.

Describing the move as “a highlight in our jubilee year”, LUG managing director and chief executive, Patrik Tschirch, said that he expected a handling volume of between 800 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes per month, adding: “JAL Cargo’s global network is going to further expand our international footprint. The airline cooperates closely with British Airways which is also a handling customer of ours.”

Sachito Akimoto, general manager, cargo and mail, for JAL in Germany, commented: “I believe the company is a perfect fit for JAL Cargo’s wide product portfolio and premium service goals. LUG will help us to fulfil our customers’ expectations and satisfy our own ambitions in terms of high quality service, safety standards, and responsiveness to customer demands.”