According to some observers, these alliances are in part driven by the rise of the Middle Eastern carriers, which have been building up their capacity between Asia and Europe. By running freighters from Asia to their hubs and transferring cargo to passenger widebodies headed to Europe, they can undercut Asian and European carriers operating freighters all the way.
Peter Gerber, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo, has signaled that freighters are included in the joint approach with Cathay. However, Large stresses that this does not herald a reduction of Cathay’s freighter footprint in other European stations.