Japan Airlines and Cargolux launch cargo cooperation on routes

Japan Airlines and Cargolux Airlines will begin a new cargo cooperation covering routes between Narita and Luxembourg and Narita and Chicago, starting April 1, 2026. The agreement links Asia with Europe and North America through a mix of codeshare and interline arrangements.

The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between the two carriers that dates back to July 1994, when Japan Airlines supported the introduction of Cargolux services into Komatsu Airport. The latest move expands that relationship into scheduled cargo operations across key intercontinental corridors.

Under the agreement, cargo capacity between Narita and Luxembourg will be offered through Japan Airlines codeshare on Cargolux-operated flights. On the Narita–Chicago sector, cargo will move through interline transferred space on Japan Airlines flights. The structure allows both carriers to integrate their networks and extend reach across Asia, Europe and North America.

The Luxembourg connection is positioned as a central hub in Europe, enabling wider distribution across the region. The Chicago routing strengthens transpacific connectivity and supports flows between Asia and North America. Together, the routes are aimed at addressing cargo demand across these trade lanes.

JAL Executive Officer, Cargo and Mail Division, Yuichiro Kito, said: “With the launch of this cooperation with Cargolux, we have secured scheduled freighter space on key European routes, allowing us to build an even more robust and stable air cargo network across the vital arteries of global commerce linking Asia with both the Americas and Europe. In addition to JAL’s passenger flights and freighter network connecting Asia and the Americas, we will leverage this partnership with Cargolux to deliver JAL’s high-quality cargo handling services to customers across an even broader area of Europe, centred around Luxembourg.”

Pierandrea Galli, EVP, Commercial Planning at Cargolux Airlines, said: “Japan has long been a cornerstone market for Cargolux, and this partnership with Japan Airlines represents an important step forward for both carriers. These new transpacific routes will complement our existing services from Asia to North America. By combining our complementary networks and operational strengths, we can extend our reach into strategic global markets and deliver an expanded, high-quality offering to our customers—built on the trusted standards of excellence shared by Cargolux and Japan Airlines.”

Flight operations between Narita and Luxembourg will be conducted using Boeing 747-8 freighters. Services will run twice weekly in each direction, with departures from Luxembourg scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays and return flights from Narita on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The schedule is subject to regulatory approval.

On the Narita–Chicago route, flights will be operated by Kalitta Air on behalf of Japan Airlines using Boeing 747-400 freighters. The service will operate twice weekly in each direction, with departures from Narita on Thursdays and Saturdays and return flights from Chicago on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The cooperation is intended to strengthen cargo capacity on Asia–Europe and Asia–North America corridors while supporting logistics connectivity across these regions. Both airlines stated that the agreement will contribute to the development of logistics infrastructure and support demand for global cargo movement.

Cargolux operates an all-cargo fleet of Boeing 747-8 and 747-400 aircraft and serves more than 50 destinations through scheduled flights, supported by charter services and a trucking network. The airline has additional Boeing 777-8 freighters on order as part of its fleet renewal plan.

Japan Airlines operates a combined passenger and cargo network covering domestic and international destinations across multiple regions. The airline is part of the oneworld alliance and continues to expand its long-haul operations alongside cargo partnerships.