Japan Airlines and Cargolux are strengthening their long-standing cargo relationship with the launch of codeshare operations on the Narita International Airport-Luxembourg Airport route.
According to JAL, the latest step in the partnership will also allow the airline to offer capacity for both carriers on interline flights linking Tokyo Narita with Chicago O’Hare in the United States.
The renewed agreement was signed at IATA WCS 2026 in Lima and officially announced on 25 March.
The relationship between JAL and Cargolux stretches back more than 30 years. JAL supported the launch of Cargolux flights to Komatsu Airport in 1994 and has been responsible for handling those flights on the ground.
JAL said the combination of both networks will help deliver more convenient air cargo services to a wider customer base across Asia, Europe and North America. The airline added that, in response to strong cargo demand, it intends to contribute to the further development of logistics infrastructure and create new value through logistics.
Yuichiro Kifuji, general manager of cargo and postal at JAL, said the start of codeshare operations on scheduled cargo flights with Cargolux will secure new space on European routes. He said the move will support a stronger and more stable cargo transportation network across the growing Asia-Europe and US markets. By adding Cargolux’s Luxembourg-based network to the system JAL Cargo has already been strengthening, he said, the airline will be able to provide high-quality cargo handling services to customers across a wider European footprint.
Pierandrea Galli, executive vice president commercial planning at Cargolux, said Japan has long been a pivotal market for the carrier and described the partnership with JAL as a major step forward for both companies. He said the new development on the Pacific route would complement the existing Asia-North America operation. By deepening interline cooperation and securing access to JAL Cargo’s Asia-Pacific freighter network, Cargolux aims to expand its strategic global market presence while combining the operational strengths and quality standards of both carriers.
In December, JAL also signed an agreement with Kalitta Air to increase the number of weekly codeshare cargo flights operated between Tokyo Narita and Chicago O’Hare.
