JAPAN Airlines (JAL) is branching out into dedicated air cargo service in collaboration with logistics provider Yamato Transport, reports New York's FreightWaves.
Regulatory interference had restricted the number of hours truckers can drive which will undercut efficiency and impose higher costs, says Yamato.
JAL said low-cost subsidiary Spring Japan will operate three Airbus A321 converted freighters for Yamato, a Tokyo-based company specialising in small parcel delivery, warehousing and distribution and inside home delivery of large items.
The partners plan to launch service in April 2024 on four domestic routes, including Tokyo-Okinawa, offering 21 flights per day.
Yamato said it is motivated to control its own air cargo network because of concerns that a new law will restrict the number of available truck drivers in Japan and undercut service levels.
The new law, which takes effect in April 2024, limits truck drivers and couriers to 960 hours of overtime in a calendar year - a marked decrease from current conditions.
JAL is looking for a way to secure freight capacity to locations around the country as it downsizes the passenger fleet to reduce costs and secure its financial health following losses caused by the Covid crisis.
Yamato has acquired two of the three used passenger jets, and will have Elbe Flugzeugwerke reconstruct the narrowbody planes to carry large containers on the main deck.
Yamato will provide the aircraft to Japan Airlines, which will supply the crews and carry out regular maintenance through Spring Japan. Yamato will sell the space and manage the schedules for the aircraft, which will sport the Yamato brand.
Conversion of the first A321 for Yamato's private airline will begin in March at EFW's Singapore production facility. The A321 freighter can carry 14 full-size containers on the upper deck and 10 smaller ones in the lower hold.
SeaNews Turkey
Regulatory interference had restricted the number of hours truckers can drive which will undercut efficiency and impose higher costs, says Yamato.
JAL said low-cost subsidiary Spring Japan will operate three Airbus A321 converted freighters for Yamato, a Tokyo-based company specialising in small parcel delivery, warehousing and distribution and inside home delivery of large items.
The partners plan to launch service in April 2024 on four domestic routes, including Tokyo-Okinawa, offering 21 flights per day.
Yamato said it is motivated to control its own air cargo network because of concerns that a new law will restrict the number of available truck drivers in Japan and undercut service levels.
The new law, which takes effect in April 2024, limits truck drivers and couriers to 960 hours of overtime in a calendar year - a marked decrease from current conditions.
JAL is looking for a way to secure freight capacity to locations around the country as it downsizes the passenger fleet to reduce costs and secure its financial health following losses caused by the Covid crisis.
Yamato has acquired two of the three used passenger jets, and will have Elbe Flugzeugwerke reconstruct the narrowbody planes to carry large containers on the main deck.
Yamato will provide the aircraft to Japan Airlines, which will supply the crews and carry out regular maintenance through Spring Japan. Yamato will sell the space and manage the schedules for the aircraft, which will sport the Yamato brand.
Conversion of the first A321 for Yamato's private airline will begin in March at EFW's Singapore production facility. The A321 freighter can carry 14 full-size containers on the upper deck and 10 smaller ones in the lower hold.
SeaNews Turkey
