NORTHWEST, JAPAN AIRLINES FORM CARGO ALLIANCE
Northwest Airlines and Japan Airlines have signed a long-term alliance agreement to integrate their transpacific air cargo networks.
Under the first phase of the alliance, to begin in September pending government approval, Northwest and JAL will share space on each other’s freighters flying between Asia and the United States. Via codesharing and interline space agreements, the two airlines will be able to offer their respective customer’s greater reach and frequency.
Together, Northwest and JAL will operate a fleet of 20 B747-200 freighters. Northwest’s 10th freighter will enter service in September, and JAL’s 10th is scheduled for delivery in December.
Northwest and JAL said they plan to eventually expand their alliance to include systems integration and coordinated warehouse operations.
“This is an exciting time for Northwest and JAL. More than ever, cargo customers demand global solutions for their transportation needs, and alliances are recognized as an efficient way to meet the needs of our customers,” said John Dasburg, president and chief executive officer of Northwest Airlines Corp.
“JAL and Northwest both have a long history of developing air cargo in the Pacific. Now our companies will work collaboratively to develop the network and reliable service that our cargo customers demand,” said Isao Kaneko, president and chief executive officer of Japan Airlines.
Northwest is the largest freighter operator among U.S. combination airlines. Its freighter network covers Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, Manila and Guam in Asia; and New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Anchorage in the United States.
JAL’s freighter network covers Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hong Kong, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur in Asia; Frankfurt, London, Paris in Europe; and New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Anchorage in the United States.
A transpacific partnership with JAL could complement Northwest’s long-standing cargo relationship with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines on transatlantic routes.