JAL offers Tokyo-Hong Kong capacity through Kalitta Air

The change to JAL’s summer schedule is effective from 15 June, but capacity will be maintained through cargo codeshare operations with Kalitta Air.

“Furthermore, by combining the Narita-Hong Kong service operated by Kalitta Air with the Narita-Chicago route, JAL will continue to meet robust demand between Asia and North America,” added the company.

The Narita-Chicago flights are also carried out by Kalitta Air on a codeshare basis.

JAL and Kalitta Air signed a codeshare agreement for regular cargo flights from Tokyo Narita to Chicago O’Hare starting from May 2025.

The airlines then agreed in December that year to increase the number of weekly codeshare cargo flights operated by Kalitta Air on the route to meet demand between Asia and North America.

From 10 May this year, these flights have been carried out on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using 747-400 freighters.

Additional charter flights on this route are being operated by Western Global Airlines on Thursdays and Saturdays, also using a 747-400F, noted JAL.

The airline added that for flight services from 16 September onward, as well as certain routes and periods still under adjustment, further updates will be provided.

After a 13-year hiatus, JAL re-entered the all-cargo market in early 2024 through the introduction of three converted Boeing 767-300ERs.

As well as its most recent agreements with JAL, Kalitta has also conducted codeshare operations with JAL in the past, including in 2019 and 2023.