Nippon Cargo signs up for Atlas B747

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW) announced yesterday (December 1) that its Atlas Air business has agreed a deal to operate a Boeing 747-400 freighter on behalf of Japanese freight carrier Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA).
From January next year, Atlas will fly the freighter for the Japanese carrier on transpacific routes linking Asia with the US.
While this aircraft represents the first to be operated by the lessor on behalf of NCA, Atlas pointed out that there is an opportunity for additional aircraft to join the arrangement in the future.
“Nippon Cargo Airlines is an important addition to our customer portfolio,” declared William Flynn, president and chief executive of AAWW.
Noting that Atlas Air will manage “an important part” of NCA’s international network, he added that Atlas would provide the carrier with “unmatched service and a platform for future expansion”.
Fukashi Sakamoto, NCA president and chief executive, said he hoped that it would be “a long, mutually beneficial relationship” with Atlas.
New York-headquartered AAWW, a provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services, is the parent company of Atlas Air, Southern Air Holdings and Titan Aviation Holdings, as well as the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide.
Combined, its companies operate the world’s largest fleet of B747 freighter aircraft. They also fly B777, B767, B757 and B737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international services.
In October this year, AAWW placed an order with Boeing for the manufacturer to convert nine B767 passenger aircraft into Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF).
Four of the orders were previously announced at the UK’s Farnborough International Airshow in July, attributed to an “unidentified customer”, widely thought to be internet retailer Amazon.
In May this year, Amazon had signed up to lease 20 B767-300 freighters from AAWW. The first commercial flight resulting from the Amazon and Atlas Air deal took place on August 10, with "Amazon One" departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and landing at Wilmington Air Park Airport.
In August, it was confirmed that FedEx had agreed a long-term deal with Atlas Air to provide it with extra freighter aircraft to cover extra demand during the peak shipping season.
A five-year agreement will see Atlas provide the parcel giant with five B747-400 freighter aircraft for peak season flying between 2017 and 2021.
Atlas said it was the first time the two companies had entered into a long-term agreement for the provision of aircraft during the peak.
And last month saw more good news for the lessor. Revealing its third-quarter results in November, Atlas reported improving demand for air cargo services on most trade lanes in the peak season.