On November 20, JAL and Yamato Holdings unveiled to the press the Airbus A321-200P2F, the Yamato Group’s dedicated cargo aircraft. The aircraft will be operated by Spring Japan, a JAL Group company, and is scheduled to enter service on April 11, 2024.
Against a social backdrop of the growth of the mail-order market, truck driver shortage, and the frequency and severity of natural disasters, as well as the expected decrease in transportation capacity due to the April 1, 2024 change in the maximum working hours for truck drivers caused by the Workplace Reform Law, the Yamato Group has decided to introduce a new means of transportation: dedicated air cargo The decision was made to introduce dedicated air cargo planes (fraters) as a new means of transportation.
By adding fraters to existing truck, rail, ferry, and passenger aircraft cargo space (berries), the company aims to ensure stable transportation capacity and build a sustainable and robust logistics network.
The A321-200P2F aircraft has a maximum loading weight of 28 tons, equivalent to five to six of the company’s 10-ton trucks. The aircraft has a range of 2,300 to 3,000 km, and can transport passengers from Tokyo to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Three aircraft are scheduled to be introduced, and once all aircraft are in service, there will be 21 daily flights on four routes: Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) – Kitakyushu/Shin-Chitose/Naha, and Naha – Kitakyushu.
© Source travel watch