Ten years after their first joint flight, representatives of Atlas Air Worldwide and Nippon Cargo Airlines came together in Japan, to celebrate a partnership that has become a cornerstone of both companies’ operations. Atlas Air Worldwide CEO, Michael Steen, and NCA President and CEO, Hiroyuki Homma met with members of their leadership teams to reflect on the partnership and mark the milestone. During that time, the collaboration has grown from one freighter to five. The first Atlas Boeing 747-400 freighter began flying for Nippon Cargo Airlines in NOV16. This grew to two aircraft in 2017 and five in 2019, as the partners focused on developing Nippon’s international cargo network and providing reliable, safe, and flexible air cargo services.
Throughout the decade, the two carriers have built a network on complementary strengths, establishing a tightly coordinated operation that pairs Atlas’ global infrastructure with Nippon Cargo Airline’s expansive cargo network, all underpinned by deep widebody freighter expertise on both sides. In doing this, they are able to serve vital trade lanes between Asia and North America, also optimizing the use of Nippon’s Narita International Airport hub. The close alignment means that both partners can easily adapt to shifting market demand.
“As Atlas and NCA enter their second decade together, both companies remain committed to strengthening their relationship and supporting the evolving needs of the global air cargo market,” the press release states.
Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide, commented: “Our 10-year partnership with NCA reflects the value of working together with a shared commitment to service and operational excellence. What began with a single aircraft has evolved into a strong strategic relationship, supported by the expertise and dedication of our teams. We value the trust NCA has placed in Atlas and look forward to identifying new opportunities to support its business in the years ahead.”
Hiroyuki Homma, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nippon Cargo Airlines, stated: “Since commencing in 2016, our collaboration has grown substantially, and Atlas plays an integral role in supporting our global network. Looking ahead, we will further deepen our ties with Atlas, dedicated to delivering higher-quality, reliable air cargo transportation services to customers worldwide.”
