NX Group and Japan Airlines (JAL) will launch a new Boeing 747 freighter service connecting North America and Asia, while also adding large-freighter capacity within Asia.
The weekly service will operate on a Los Angeles – Narita – Taipei – Singapore – Narita – Los Angeles circuit. The first flight is scheduled to depart Los Angeles on 3 October.
The partnership targets growing demand for AI- and semiconductor-related cargo, as well as oversized and heavy shipments linked to data center development.
New large-freighter capacity in Asia
JAL has secured the Boeing 747 freighter through cooperation with its partners. The aircraft offers a maximum payload of approximately 100 tons.
NX Group and JAL said demand for AI and semiconductor cargo is particularly strong between Tokyo, Taipei and Singapore. However, large-freighter capacity on intra-Asia routes remains limited.
The Narita – Taipei – Singapore – Narita section of the new service is designed to address this gap.
Cargo can be loaded and unloaded at each point on the wider circuit. This will allow the companies to offer different routing options between North America and Asia, as well as within Asia.
The service can also handle oversized and heavy shipments, including server racks and other data center equipment.
“Building on our many years of cooperation with JAL, we will further expand our international air cargo network utilizing large freighter aircraft, contributing to the stability of our customers’ supply chains and to their business growth,” said Satoshi Otsuji, Senior Managing Executive Officer and President of Global Business Headquarters, NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS.
Further network expansion planned
The service will initially operate once a week during 2026, while NX Group and JAL plan to explore further network expansion.
“This partnership with NX will bring large freighter service to the U.S. West Coast for the first time,” said Yuichiro Kito, Executive Officer and Senior Vice President – Cargo and Mail, Japan Airlines.
The companies said the partnership will complement JAL’s existing passenger and freighter networks while providing additional capacity for high-value cargo moving between North America and key Asian markets.
