Nippon Cargo and ASL partner on B747 freighters

Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) and ASL Airlines Belgium have added a new partnership covering B747-400 freighters.

The tie-up will see ASL Belgium operate two of NCA’s B747-400Fs, while the Japan-based carrier will have access to capacity on the flights.

The deal will not affect the size of ASL Belgium’s B747-400F fleet which will remain at three aircraft.

NCA said that the deal would allow it to expand coverage to new markets.

Hitoshi Oshika, president and chief executive, NCA, said: “By partnering with ASL, NCA will be able to utilise part of their flight capacity and satisfy even more of our customer’s requirements.

“This important business expansion will enable us to provide customers with new, high-quality freighter capacity and further expand the global reach. NCA will explore additional service expansion with its European partner to other important markets including Africa and flights across the Atlantic connecting Europe and the US.”

“We are delighted to grow our partnership with Nippon Cargo Airlines,” said Dave Andrew, chief executive of ASL Aviation Holdings.

“Both ASL and NCA provide connections that support the global economy and we look forward to continuing to provide NCA and its customers with an unmatched service and a platform for future expansion.”

NCA backed out of operating its B747-400 freighters in 2018 after a investigation was carried out into its safety procedures. Following the investigation, it decided to concentrate on a single fleet type of eight B747-8Fs.

NCA had previously signed a deal with Atlas Air to operate its three B747-400Fs.