Lufthansa Cargo and DHL Express will establish a joint cargo carrier, commencing operations from Leipzig Halle airport in 2009.

Project name ‘NewCo’ will operate 10 freighters, most likely Boeing 777F or Boeing 747-400F aircraft. The new airline will fly intercontinental routes to North America, Asia and the Middle East, carrying express shipments and general cargo. The airline will be headed by Lufthansa manager Thomas Papke.

DHL was originally in negotiations with Cargolux and Emirates for such a venture. Insiders expect that personal relations between DHL and Lufthansa managers were key in the tie-up between the two companies. Klaus Zumwinkel, chairman of DHL’s parent company DPWN, is member of Lufthansa’s board of directors while Lufthansa’s former chief executive officer Jürgen Weber has a seat in DPWN’s board of directors.