ZIPAIR Tokyo files for cargo-only flights to Seoul

Aviation Updates Philippines – After its planned launch of passenger flights during the summer was delayed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan Airlines' (JAL) new budget subsidiary ZIPAIR Tokyo started off as a cargo carrier. This week, the airline submitted an application for cargo services between Tokyo and Seoul.

Image: ZIPAIR Tokyo 787 (Source: ZIPAIR Tokyo)

According to a release from ZIPAIR Tokyo, the application for the cargo-only flights was filed with Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism with a four-times weekly schedule starting September 12, 2020. The cargo flights will depart from Tokyo-Narita and arrive at Seoul-Incheon.

The new cargo service to Seoul will be a substitute for the earlier planned launch of passenger services on the route on July 1. Under a codeshare cargo service, it will have Japan Airlines' flight code on the route.

It will also be in addition to its maiden route between Tokyo-Narita and Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi which was launched on June 3. Similar to the Seoul route, it currently operates as a cargo-only service as passenger services has been pushed back from its originally scheduled launch date of May 14.

ZIPAIR Tokyo has not made any further announcement regarding the new scheduled launch dates for passenger flights to both Seoul and Bangkok.

Based at Narita Airport, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan Airlines has 2 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners each with a configuration for around 290 seats.