Japan Airlines (JAL) has said it will launch dedicated freighter operations in February as it announced its first Boeing 767-300ER freighter converted from its passenger fleet.
Tokyo-headquartered JAL said the the freighter will operate from Tokyo Narita and Nagoya to Taipei, Seoul Incheon, as well as Shanghai Pudong.
Operations are scheduled to begin on February 19.
The airline is set to add a further two 767-300 freighter conversions, according to plans it announced in May this year.
"The operation of the freighters will enhance stable and flexible air transportation capabilities, ensuring a steady supply. Furthermore, the development of a network strategy based on growing demand will ensure the satisfaction of customer needs and contribute to the sustainable development of the logistics infrastructure," said JAL.
The service marks a return to the freighter market after an absence of 13 years as the airline aim to grow in the cargo and mail business.
Since leaving the freighter market in 2011 when it retired its Boeing 747-400 freighters, the carrier has offered cargo capacity on its passenger flights and by chartering other companies’ freighters.
In addition to JAL's 767 freighter venture, German freighter conversion firm Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has recently delivered the first of three Airbus A321P2F (passenger to freighter) aircraft to Japan, ahead of its use by JAL and Yamato Holdings on a domestic freighter network next year.
