JAL targets high-yield cargo in bellyholds

With its freighter fleet poised to exit the market, JAL Cargo is trying to re-invent itself as a premium carrier, aiming to utilise its bellyhold capacity and network chiefly for high-yield cargo. According to its restructuring plan, Japan Airlines will retire its remaining Boeing 747-400 and B767-300 freighter aircraft in October and thereafter concentrate entirely on belly cargo. The step comes at a time when the freighters are actually enjoying strong load factors and have seen rising yields, but the restructuring of the airline leaves no room for all-cargo activities in the foreseeable future. JAL Cargo management has made strident efforts to position the carrier more than ever as a premium operator. In addition to its existing line-up of value-added services, it has now introduced two more refined offerings that can be tailored to individual clients' requirements, J-Solutions Pharma and J-Solutions Art. JAL has so far moved pharmaceutical traffic under its J-Cool service, which has been around since 2001. Based on discussions with pharma shippers, the carrier decided to develop a dedicated service that went beyond the needs of other users of the J-Cool offering. The new J-Solutions Pharma features dedicated standard operating procedures (SOP) for each traffic as well as extended service options and gives customers full visibility airport-to-airport. The service covers the cool chain from acceptance of the cargo at JAL's facility to delivery at destination. JAL is planning to add a second distinguishing feature before long. In addition to the larger C-Safe and Envirotainer units with active temperature control that it uses for this type of traffic, it is preparing for the introduction of smaller containers with new cooling technology. The airline is currently running trials with new containers developed by an Asian manufacturer that employ a new technology called ice battery that gives greater accuracy than dry ice. This allows temperature settings between -20 and +8 degrees Celsius. While J-Solutions Pharma is a refined extension of the J-Cool service, J-Solutions Art replaces the carrier's J-Art product offered so far. Initially, the new offerings are only available on routes to and from Japan and will not extend to cargo transiting to a second flight. According to Shinya Nagayasu, JAL cargo planning manager for the Americas, management intends to include transfer cargo at a later stage. Between the US and Asia, transit times through the Tokyo Narita hub have been a strong marketing point for JAL Cargo, particularly for time-sensitive shipments. The carrier operates on same-day connections with transit times of 90 minutes for unitised traffic and two hours for loose, bulk-loaded cargo.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)