By Eva Richardson | The Logistic News | March 24, 2025
Japan Airlines (JAL) is strengthening its return to the freighter market through a new codeshare agreement with Kalitta Air, aimed at enhancing cargo connectivity between Asia and North America. Beginning May 10, 2025, the two carriers will jointly operate scheduled cargo flights between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), a route critical to transpacific trade.
The announcement comes just over a year after JAL resumed dedicated freighter operations in February 2024, marking its re-entry into the market after a 13-year hiatus.
“The new codeshare agreement with Kalitta will enable JAL to meet the continued strong demand for cargo transportation between Asia and North America by providing stable and flexible air cargo services with the addition of large cargo aircraft from another company,” the airline said in a statement.
A Strategic Response to Growing Cargo Demand
As international cargo volumes remain robust and capacity pressures persist, this partnership enables JAL to scale its services more quickly. Kalitta will operate Boeing 747-400F freighters from April 4 to April 26, followed by Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft under the formal codeshare from May 10 onward.
Passenger flights on the same Narita–Chicago route are also set to resume on May 31, adding valuable bellyhold cargo capacity and enhancing overall flexibility for shippers.
The collaboration builds on past cooperation between the two carriers, including previous codeshare arrangements in 2019 and 2023.
JAL’s Strategic Freighter Revival
JAL’s re-entry into the dedicated freighter market in 2023 was driven by increasing e-commerce volumes, rising air cargo demand, and labor shortages in Japan’s trucking industry. The Tokyo-based carrier has since introduced three Boeing 767-300 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions into its cargo fleet, signaling a calculated expansion of its logistics capabilities.
In parallel, JAL has also explored narrowbody freighter solutions. As reported by Air Cargo News, the airline partnered with Yamato Holdings and German conversion specialist Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) to introduce Airbus A321P2F aircraft for domestic cargo routes in Japan.
Strengthening Transpacific Logistics
The new codeshare with Kalitta Air aligns with JAL’s broader strategy to diversify its cargo network and strengthen operational resilience. By leveraging Kalitta’s heavy-lift aircraft and established presence in North America, the partnership offers a faster and more flexible alternative for time-sensitive cargo.
The Narita–Chicago route remains a cornerstone of Asia–US trade, and the added capacity is expected to benefit exporters and logistics providers seeking dependable solutions amidst global supply chain fluctuations.
As Japan Airlines re-establishes itself in the global freighter landscape, partnerships like this with Kalitta Air are instrumental in accelerating growth and ensuring competitive service in a demanding air cargo environment.
Eva Richardson
Senior Aviation & Logistics Correspondent | The Logistic News
