AIR FRANCE, DELTA TO LAUNCH CARGO JOINT VENTURE

AIR FRANCE, DELTA TO LAUNCH CARGO JOINT VENTURE

   Air France Cargo and Delta Air Lines' cargo division plan to launch a joint venture in the United States to combine their export sales teams.

   The two airlines, which formed a comprehensive passenger alliance last year, will offer a single point of contact for U.S. shippers and forwarders with an integrated product line. Air France recently introduced a new portfolio of cargo services — including time-definite delivery, special handling alternatives and a forwarder partnership program.

   Air France said the combination with Delta would give cargo customers non-stop service to 33 destinations in Latin America, Europe and Japan, flexible freighter capacity and connections through Paris to Air France destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

   Delta, which does not operate freighters, will gain access to Air France's large fleet of 11 B747 all-cargo planes. Air France is the world's fourth largest international air cargo carrier. Delta ranks 20.

   The two carriers have filed their plans to the U.S. Department of Justice for review and will wait to implement the joint venture until it is approved. The new company will focus on selling and marketing U.S. export airfreight, except to Canada.