Japan Airlines (JAL) and Nippon Express have initiated a transport partnership to improve service on intra-Asia and North America-Asia routes, addressing the increasing demand for the movement of AI and semiconductor-related goods.
The new service features a round-trip route starting from Los Angeles and passing through Tokyo’s Narita, Taipei (Taoyuan), and Singapore before returning to Los Angeles. This initiative uses a Boeing 747 freighter, which has a maximum payload capacity of approximately 100 tons, made possible through collaboration between JAL and its partners.
The first flight of this service took off from Los Angeles on October 3, and there will be one weekly flight for the remainder of the year.
According to Japan Airlines and Nippon Express, there is a significant demand for transporting AI and semiconductor cargo, especially among the routes connecting Tokyo, Taipei, and Singapore. However, they noted that the availability of large freighters within Asia is limited, which restricts shipping options for clients.
The capabilities of the 747F allow for the transportation of oversized and heavy cargo, including server racks and data center equipment, alongside high-value cargo linked to the growing investment in digital infrastructure and the rise of generative AI.
The cargo can also be loaded and unloaded at each stop along the route, providing flexibility to meet demand.
Both companies aim to expand their network further in the future. Yuichiro Kito, executive officer and senior vice president of cargo and mail at Japan Airlines, remarked that this new initiative enhances the long-standing relationship between JAL and the NX Group. He mentioned that this partnership marks the debut of large freighter services on the U.S. West Coast.
Kito added, “We will expand our air cargo network in rapidly growing markets and deliver JAL Cargo’s high-quality cargo handling services to even more customers.”
Satoshi Otsuji, senior managing executive officer and president of global business headquarters at Nippon Express Holdings, stated that the partnership will enable the NX Group to offer more stable and flexible transport solutions to meet evolving air transport needs. He emphasized that their longstanding cooperation with JAL will help expand their international air cargo network using large freighter aircraft to strengthen supply chains for customers.
