NCA to offload 747-400Fs, focus on 747-8F platform as part of restructuring plan

On 17 August, Nippon Cargo Airlines submitted an improvement plan to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT) that centers around “revising the flight scale to match the size of the staff” and, according to a statement released by the carrier’s parent NYK Group, will include consolidating the fleet and maintenance operations to […]

• Charles Kauffman
• August 20, 2018

NCA cancels remaining 747-8F orders

Japan-based NYK Group, parent of Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), said it reached an agreement with Boeing to cancel NCA’s two remaining orders for 747-8 freighters. NCA was a launch customer for the 747-8F, placing an order for eight units in November 2005, and upping its total to fourteen in early 2007. However, by the time the carrier took […]

• David Harris
• March 27, 2017

Japanese air cargo market growth to continue, albeit more slowly

Nittsu Research Institute and Consulting Inc, the consulting affiliate of freight forwarder Nippon Express, forecasts Japan’s air freight market to continue an upward trajectory through fiscal 2017, after a 6.7% drop in fiscal 2015 and a steady rebound in 2016. Following a rough patch in 2015, air cargo volumes rose 4.6% in 2016, and are […]

• Charles Kauffman
• March 14, 2017

Yusen Logistics expands to Switzerland

Japan-based freight forwarder Yusen Logistics opened a branch office near Zurich Airport on 1 January, 2017. Home to two of the world’s largest airfreight forwarders, Panalpina and Kuehne + Nagel, Yusen called the Swiss office a “strategic step” for the company. The new outpost will offer air and ocean freight services, land transportation and customs […]

• David Harris
• January 8, 2017

A new combi enters service

Ryukyu Air Commuter took delivery of Bombardier’s first Q400 combi. When Bombardier launched the Q400 Combi program in 2014, it said it had a launch order from an unidentified customer, but it kept that customer’s identity under wraps until just three months ago, when it announced Ryukyu’s order for five of the type. Ryukyu Air Commuter is a regional […]

• David Harris
• January 6, 2016

Ryukyu places launch order for Q400 Combi

Japan-based Ryukyu Air Commuter is the launch customer for the combi variant of Bombardier’s Q400. When Bombardier launched the Q400 Combi program last year, it said it had a launch order from an unidentified customer, and it kept that customer’s identity under wraps until today, with the announcement of Ryukyu’s order for five of the […]

• David Harris
• October 2, 2015

Silk Way is flying its new 747-8 freighter to where?

Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines took delivery of its third 747-8F (60102) from Boeing. The carrier said it would use this third 747-8F to launch new services to Singapore and Komatsu, which had us scrambling for the maps. Sure, everyone knows where Singapore is and why a freighter operator would fly there. But Komatsu? Komatsu turns […]

• David Harris
• August 20, 2015