Japan Airlines (JAL) and Cargolux Airlines (CV) commenced cooperation on the Narita–Luxembourg–Narita and Narita–Chicago–Narita routes starting April 1, 2026.
The relationship between the two airlines has deep roots, dating back to July 1994, when JAL supported the introduction of Cargolux’s service into Komatsu airport.
By launching this new cooperation, connecting Narita and Luxembourg —a prime European cargo hub—by JAL codeshare flight on Cargolux operating flight, and Narita-Chicago-Narita by interline transferred space on JL flight, both airlines will combine their respective networks to offer enhanced air cargo services to a broader range of customers across Asia and Europe.
JAL and Cargolux are committed to meeting the robust cargo demand on the Asia-Europe and Asia-North America routes, contributing to the development of logistics infrastructure, and creating new value through seamless global logistics.
Yuichiro Kito, Executive Officer, Cargo and Mail Division, JAL, said, “With the launch of this cooperation with Cargolux, we have secured scheduled freighter space on key European routes, allowing us to build an even more robust and stable air cargo network across the vital arteries of global commerce linking Asia with both the Americas and Europe. In addition to JAL’s passenger flights and freighter network connecting Asia and the Americas, we will leverage this partnership with Cargolux to deliver JAL’s high-quality cargo handling services to customers across an even broader area of Europe, centred around Luxembourg.”
Pierandrea Galli, EVP, Commercial Planning, Cargolux Airlines, said, “Japan has long been a cornerstone market for Cargolux, and this partnership with Japan Airlines represents an important step forward for both carriers. These new transpacific routes will complement our existing services from Asia to North America. By combining our complementary networks and operational strengths, we can extend our reach into strategic global markets and deliver an expanded, high‑quality offering to our customers—built on the trusted standards of excellence shared by Cargolux and Japan Airlines.”
Flight schedule
The Luxembourg–Narita service will operate twice weekly using Boeing 747-8F freighters, departing Luxembourg at 20:10 on Tuesdays and arriving in Narita at 17:30 the following day, while a second frequency departs at 16:10 on Fridays, arriving in Narita at 13:30 the next day. In the return direction, flights from Narita to Luxembourg will depart at 19:30 on Wednesdays, arriving at 10:10 the following day, and at 15:30 on Saturdays, arriving at 06:10 the next day.
As a reference for the transpacific connection, the Narita–Chicago service will operate twice weekly, departing Narita at 11:25 on Thursdays and Saturdays and arriving in Chicago at 12:30 the same day. The Chicago–Narita service will also operate twice weekly, departing Chicago at 01:30 on Wednesdays and Fridays and arriving in Narita at 08:30 the following day, all operated using Boeing 747-400F freighters by Kalitta Air.
