JAL, Spring Japan and Yamato to End Domestic Cargo Freighter Operations in June 2027

Japan Airlines (JAL), Spring Japan and Yamato Holdings will end domestic cargo freighter operations as early as June 2027.

The operations began in April 2024 in response to changes in Japan’s logistics environment, including reduced trucking capacity stemming from the “2024 Problem” in logistics. The companies introduced three Airbus A321-200P2F aircraft, converted from Airbus A321-200ceo passenger aircraft into freighters.

While trucking faces unavoidable increases in transportation costs due to labor shortages and higher fuel prices, air transport costs have also risen because of the continuing weak yen and elevated fuel prices. As a result, the price gap between trucking and air transport has widened, contrary to initial expectations. The companies said they concluded that making greater use of alternative transportation methods, including passenger flight networks, is the optimal approach to sustainably provide stable transport services under current conditions.

The aircraft feature a gray base color. Near the nose is the Yamato Group symbol mark, depicting the Kuroneko black cat carrying a kitten, while the Advance Mark is displayed on the vertical tail.