Atlas Air will operate one of its Boeing 747-400Fs for Nippon Cargo Airlines from January 2017, according to an agreement between the two companies.

According to Atlas, the plane will initially be flown on key trans-Pacific routes between Asia and the US.

“Nippon Cargo Airlines is an important addition to our customer portfolio,” said William J. Flynn, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Air Worldwide. “We are very pleased that NCA has chosen Atlas Air to manage an important part of its international network. NCA is very focused on high service quality, and we look forward to providing it and its customers with unmatched service and a platform for future expansion.”

NCA is based in Tokyo and has a fleet of five 747-400Fs and eight 747-8Fs.

“We are delighted to begin this strategic arrangement with Atlas Air, and we look forward to having a long, mutually beneficial relationship,” said Fukashi Sakamoto, president and chief executive officer of NCA.