ANA Cargo is to introduce large freighters to address demand for cargo traffic between Asia and North America, according to the mid-term corporate strategy for fiscal years 2018-2022 released by ANA Holdings.

Under the new strategy, ANA plans to grow its cargo business by 40% by the end of FY2022 compared to FY2017. This will mainly be achieved through restructuring its Tokyo and Okinawa cargo hub networks, and by using large freighters. A spokesperson has confirmed to Asia Cargo News that the carrier will place an order for at least two Boeing 777Fs. ANA Cargo currently operates 12 Boeing 767Fs.

ANA Cargo aims to transport cargo between Asia and North America via its two Tokyo hubs, a route for which it expects stable growth in the medium to long term. The carrier will also reorganize the network built around its freighter hub in Okinawa, which mainly handles cargo between Asia and Japan.

Separately, ANA Cargo will expand its trans-Pacific joint venture with United Cargo from February 6, 2018 to include routes from the US and Canada to Japan.

The expansion will offer customers more destinations at shorter lead times, with a joint network of 360 non-stop flights a week to 15 destinations over the Pacific and further flight and truck connections within Japan, the US and Canada.

The first phase of the JV, consisting of joint sales and enhanced operation of shipments originating in Japan bound for the US and Canada, was launched in July 2016. The scope will continue to expand for countries in Asia and the Americas.

The two carriers signed the agreement to establish the JV in March 2016.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2017, ANA Cargo carried 763,000 tonnes of international freight, a year-on-year increase of 6.7%. FTKs grew by 9.7% to 3.4 billion,  while revenue from international cargo increased by 30.5% year-on-year to ¥88.1 billion (US$800 million). The performance was due to strong demand from Asia to Japan and North America, as well as high demand in North America and Europe for Japanese automotive components and electronics, according to ANA.