The deal means the two airlines will operate key routes between Singapore and Europe together, expand codeshare ties and deepen commercial co-operation.
Flights between Singapore and Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich will be operated under revenue-sharing agreements, which will also extend to SIA-operated flights between Singapore and Dusseldorf once they launch in July 2016.
The two airline groups will also target Europe, south east Asia and Australia to co-ordinate schedules for better connections, offer joint fare promotions, align corporate programmes and look at further frequent-flyer enhancements.
The agreement also extends to the two airlines’ subsidiaries, SilkAir, Austrian Airlines and Swiss.
Goh Choon Phong, Singapore Airlines chief executive, said: “We are very pleased to have reached agreement for this extensive partnership, which will bring about significant benefits to consumers through enhanced connections and more codeshare destinations.
“Singapore Airlines has had longstanding ties to Lufthansa, which is an ideal partner with an excellent network and strong customer focus. This agreement deepens ties with the wider Lufthansa Group, providing a solid foundation for numerous commercial co-operation opportunities.
“This is yet another example of how partnerships can result in more for our customers, as we can jointly provide benefits that we would otherwise not be able to provide on our own.”
Deutsche Lufthansa AG chairman of the executive board and chief executive Carsten Spohr added: “We can look back already on a long and fruitful partnership with Singapore Airlines.
“And we’re now intensifying this close collaboration between two world-leading premium air carriers with a new joint venture that is in the best interests of all our customers, in Europe and in Southeast Asia. Because by working even closer together, we can both offer even better connections and even better services.”
Spohr was speaking as Lufthansa staff forced the cancellation of about a third of scheduled flights yesterday and today with ongoing industrial action.
Up to 200,000 passengers were believed to have been affected by the cancellation of 1,864 flights.
The ongoing action comes after two separate German courts rejected requests by the airline to halt the action as it entered its fifth day yesterday.
