JAL, Nippon Yusen mull cargo tieup

Japan Airlines Corp. and Nippon Yusen K.K. are studying a plan to collaborate in the air cargo business, sources said Wednesday.

JAL and Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., a subsidiary of Nippon Yusen, Japan's largest marine transport firm, are likely to agree on joint operation of flights between Japan and North America beginning in late March, according to the sources.

The proposed code-sharing arrangement came up because the two airlines want to more efficiently use their fleets amid the global economic crisis that has hit demand for freight, the sources added.

JAL is reducing its cargo flights between Japan and North America, abolishing its New York-bound service this month. It now operates a total of 10 flights a week to Los Angeles and Chicago.