Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading air cargo carrier, and Japan Airlines, a pioneer in Japanese aviation, have recently signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their partnership and enhance their product offerings to cargo customers. The partnership follows Japan Airlines’ announcement earlier this year of starting daily passenger flights from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha.
“This MoU symbolizes a commitment to a deeper partnership, aiming to integrate both networks via the hubs in Doha and Tokyo. This will enhance network connectivity and product offerings for customers, linking Japan to Qatar Airways’ extensive network in Europe, the Middle East, the Levant, and Africa, and vice versa. Customers will benefit from improved connectivity and access to a wider range of destinations,” stated Mark Drusch, Qatar Airways Cargo chief officer cargo.
Mutual network optimization
Qatar Airways Cargo and the Japan Airlines Cargo division, JALCARGO, have now expanded their long-standing relationship as oneworld partners by signing this partnership. The agreement aims to deliver an enhanced product offering to cargo customers and achieve operational synergies.
Qatar Airways Cargo and Japan’s JALCARGO reiterated their commitment to streamlining the transfer of cargo between the two carriers, ensuring a more efficient process for customers. Both parties will enhance their collaboration by optimizing their mutual networks and plans to extend their cooperation into various fields.
“This agreement further strengthens the long-standing partnership between JAL and Qatar Airways Cargo. For the first time in 13 years, we have commenced the operation of our own freighters,” stated Yuichiro Kitof, Japan Airlines executive officer, senior vice president, head of cargo and mail.
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Greater trade flows
The airlines will further expand their partnership next year when Qatar Airways Cargo begins freighter services between its hub at Hamad International Airport and Japan Airlines’ hub at Tokyo Narita Airport.
“Through this agreement, JALCARGO will leverage JAL’s passenger flights, freighter network, and the newly expanded Qatar Airways network to deliver customers’ cargo to an even broader range of destinations than ever before,” added Kitof.
The partnership will generate significant economic value by enhancing trade flows between the regions on Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways Cargo’s networks. Over the past 12 months, both carriers have transacted 4,462 tons of import and export cargo in Japan, highlighting the substantial impact of their collaboration. The agreement and commitment to the partnership will see this figure grow further in the coming years.
