Company profile
Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) was founded on September 27, 1978 and made its first flight on May 8, 1985 with a Boeing 747-200F on the Narita to San Francisco to New York route, the first airline in Japan dedicated to international scheduled cargo. It uses the IATA two-letter code KZ, ICAO three-letter code NCA and radio call sign NIPPON CARGO, with air waybill prefix 933, and its cargo website is nca.aero. The head office is in Narita, Chiba, Japan, the main hub is Narita International Airport (NRT / RJAA) and Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka serves as a secondary hub for its Northeast Asia routing.
On ownership and governance, NCA has been a wholly owned subsidiary of ANA Holdings since August 1, 2025. Before that the airline had been shrinking its network as operating conditions changed and was restructuring under a business improvement order from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; within the ANA Holdings group it continues to operate normally as an independent carrier, running flights to its published summer and winter schedules, and the KZ flight number and NCA air operator certificate (AOC) are retained. Under the company's announcement, NCA will merge its corporate operations with ANA Cargo from April 2027, but the KZ flight number and NCA's operator certificate are retained in that arrangement, with no immediate effect on existing bookings or cargo tracking.
On fleet and capacity, NCA's in-service freighters are 8 Boeing 747-8F, a widebody freighter with an opening nose that suits large batches of high-value cargo on long-haul trans-Pacific and intercontinental mainlines. Unlike carriers that rely on passenger bellies, all of NCA's capacity is freighter; hold loading conditions, ULD compatibility and outsized piece handling are designed around freighter standards. For Chinese shippers the value lies in the Narita and Kansai twin hubs as Northeast Asian transit points: Chinese exports are consolidated onto scheduled freighters and carried on one waybill to major markets in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, while the return leg brings back high-value cargo such as semiconductor components.
On China operations, NCA runs scheduled freighter points in mainland China and across the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong: Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). It has a direct branch office for Shanghai at Raffles City, Changning Road, Shanghai; for Hong Kong, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (HACTL) provides cargo customer service and ground handling. No freighter of its own flies nonstop from South China gateways such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen; shippers can consolidate and ship through Shanghai, Hong Kong or Taipei, subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
On two-way flows, China exports are mainly electronic information products, auto parts, high-end consumer goods and high-value industrial goods, consolidated at the Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei gateways and carried out on KZ freighters; the return leg carries mainly semiconductor components and precision parts, high in value and time-critical, which suit freighter capacity. The Narita and Kansai hubs can back each other up in peak season: when space on one mainline is tight, a routing through the other hub can be assessed, giving more capacity flexibility than a single-hub carrier.
On gateway choice, shippers in eastern China book through the Shanghai Pudong branch office for the most direct handling; shippers in South China and the Greater Bay Area can use HACTL customer service and ground handling at the Hong Kong gateway; shippers across the strait and in Hong Kong can ship through Taipei Taoyuan. Cut-off times, ULD handover and security screening differ by terminal, and at booking Goodhope Freight sets out the handling requirements and time points for the chosen gateway so cargo is handed over on time.
International air services connecting from China
NCA's China-origin service uses scheduled freighters as its only form of capacity. After handover at Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong or Taipei, cargo first flies on a KZ flight to the Narita or Kansai hub and then connects to North America, Europe or Southeast Asia under the routing plan. North America is NCA's traditional strong market, with services from Narita to Anchorage (ANC), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK) and Dallas (DFW), covering both US coasts and the main central economic regions.
To Europe, NCA flies from Narita and Kansai to Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) and Milan Malpensa (MXP), distributing Chinese exports to major cities in western and southern Europe. In Southeast Asia, flights connect Bangkok (BKK) and Singapore (SIN), handling regional transit and consolidation. For Chinese exporters, the transit role of the Narita hub means cargo does not need to be broken down again at a European or North American destination; mainline consolidation is completed in Japan before the intercontinental leg.
Matching cargo types: Chinese electronic information products, auto parts, high-end consumer goods and high-value industrial goods suit NCA freighter capacity, while the return leg carries mainly semiconductor components and precision parts, so the two-way flows have a reasonable match. There is no freighter service of its own from South China gateways such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen; shippers can connect through Hong Kong or Shanghai, subject to carrier confirmation of payload and capacity on the day of booking.
| Connection direction | Main destinations | What it means for Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|
| Consolidation at a Northeast Asian hub | Narita NRT, Kansai KIX | Chinese cargo is consolidated in Japan on scheduled freighters to form intercontinental mainline capacity |
| North America transpacific | Anchorage ANC, Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco SFO, Chicago ORD, New York JFK, Dallas DFW | Covers both US coasts and the center, suited to high-value industrial and electronic exports |
| European distribution | Amsterdam AMS, Frankfurt Hahn HHN, Milan MXP | Intercontinental service through the Japanese hub to western and southern Europe, distributing to main consumer markets |
| Southeast Asia transit | Bangkok BKK, Singapore SIN | Handles regional transit and consolidation, connecting ASEAN markets |
The table summarises the main directions from public sources. Times are local. Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Route network from China to the Narita hub
The diagram shows, from an East Asia to Pacific perspective, cargo originating in China routing through the NRT and KIX hubs to North America. The teal arcs are the consolidation legs from the three Chinese freighter gateways to the Japanese hubs, and the lighter arcs are the mainlines from Narita to North America, Europe and Southeast Asia; actual points and schedules are subject to carrier confirmation on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Dedicated freighter capacity
The entire NCA fleet is Boeing 747-8F freighters with no dilution from passenger bellies; the holds are designed for ULDs and outsized pieces, which suits steady shipment of large batches of high-value Chinese exports.
Intercontinental network from the Narita hub
After consolidation at NRT and KIX, Chinese cargo moves on one waybill to six North American gateways and three European points, with the transit completed in Japan and no re-consolidation at destination.
A traditional North American stronghold
It has operated the trans-Pacific Narita to San Francisco to New York cargo route since its 1985 first flight, giving it a mature North American network covering both coasts and the central economic regions.
Nose-loading for oversize pieces
The Boeing 747-8F has an opening nose that suits over-length, over-height and irregular pieces, so Chinese auto parts, machinery and high-value industrial goods can be loaded to freighter standards.
Matching high-value return cargo
The return leg carries mainly semiconductor components and precision parts, which matches the two-way flows of China's electronics export industry and helps keep trans-Pacific capacity steady.
Expected coordination within the ANA group
NCA is a wholly owned subsidiary of ANA Holdings and merges its corporate operations with ANA Cargo from April 2027, with the KZ flight number and NCA's certificate retained, so shippers can expect capacity coordination and network connections within the group.
Together these advantages form the case for choosing NCA: dedicated freighter capacity secures loading for large batches and heavy cargo, the Narita hub delivers one-waybill intercontinental routing, the traditional North American network supports the main export market, and the nose-loading type covers outsized pieces. Shippers can choose the best combination of Shanghai, Hong Kong or Taipei departure after Goodhope Freight assesses the cargo and destination.
Aircraft types and capacity mix
The in-service NCA freighter fleet consists of 8 Boeing 747-8F, a continuation of the 747 freighter operations that began with the airline's first flight in 1985. The Boeing 747-8F is a four-engine long-haul widebody freighter with an opening nose; the main deck holds both ULDs and loose cargo, and its payload and hold volume rank high among long-haul freighters, which suits large batches of high-value cargo on trans-Pacific and intercontinental mainlines. The airline no longer carries belly cargo; all cargo capacity comes from this freighter type.
On loading, the opening nose takes over-length and over-height irregular pieces and the main deck is configured for standard ULDs; accurate piece weight and dimensions and packing details at consignment help Goodhope Freight and the carrier confirm the ULD type and loading plan. Type payload figures are compiled from manufacturer and airline public data, and actual payload is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Boeing 747-8F
The mainstay of the NCA freighter fleet, a four-engine long-haul widebody with an opening nose for over-length cargo, flying scheduled mainline services from Narita to North America, Europe and Southeast Asia.
Boeing 747-200F (historic type)
On May 8, 1985 NCA flew the Narita to San Francisco to New York inaugural with this type, marking the entry of Japan's first international scheduled all-cargo airline; the aircraft have since been retired.
ULD and outsized piece loading
The main deck is designed for standard ULDs and loose cargo, and the opening nose supports irregular and over-length pieces; high-value industrial cargo such as auto parts and machinery can be declared to freighter standards.
ANA Cargo integration (April 2027)
Under the company's announcement, NCA and ANA Cargo will merge their corporate operations from April 2027, with the KZ flight number and NCA's operator certificate retained; capacity arrangements are subject to the carrier's announcement at that time.
Aircraft capacity figures are compiled from manufacturers' and airlines' public data. Actual payload is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Airports served in China and schedule connections
NCA runs scheduled freighter services in mainland China and across the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong, mainly from Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong and Taipei Taoyuan. The table gives reference connections for the main Chinese gateways; times are local, schedules change with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking governs. NCA flies to published summer and winter schedules, so frequency follows the carrier's schedule for the season.
| China origin ports | Connecting hub | Capacity type | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | Narita NRT | Scheduled freighter | Scheduled freighters follow the summer and winter schedules; times are local, schedules change with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking governs |
| Hong Kong HKG | Narita NRT / Kansai KIX | Scheduled freighter | Customer service and ground handling by Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (HACTL); schedules follow the carrier's schedule for the season |
| Taipei Taoyuan TPE | Narita NRT | Scheduled freighter | Scheduled freighter service; schedules change with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking governs |
| Guangzhou CAN / Shenzhen SZX | Connection via PVG or HKG | Transit connections | No public schedule for its own freighters; consolidating through Shanghai or Hong Kong is advised |
Cargo sales in China are handled by the Shanghai branch office, the Hong Kong customer service network and local cargo agents; capacity and connections are subject to Goodhope Freight's confirmation on the day of booking.
Cargo booking and connection path in China
Submit shipping instructions
The shipper gives Goodhope Freight the departure gateway (Shanghai, Hong Kong or Taipei), the North American or European destination city, the commodity, piece weight and dimensions and the deadline, and we identify the best routing through Narita or Kansai.
Confirm space and rate
Goodhope Freight books freighter capacity with the NCA Shanghai branch office, Hong Kong customer service or a local cargo agent, confirming the rate, ULD type and outsized loading conditions.
Departure and transit in Japan
After handover at Shanghai, Hong Kong or Taipei, cargo flies on a KZ freighter to Narita or Kansai and transits to the destination in North America, Europe or Southeast Asia under the routing plan.
Backhaul booking
Semiconductor components and precision parts can be booked back in the other direction, returning to a Chinese gateway through the Narita hub, with high-value cargo handled under the relevant security and temperature-control procedures.
At booking, over-weight pieces, outsized pieces, dangerous goods and sensitive cargo must be declared at consignment so Goodhope Freight can confirm nose-loading conditions and the ULD type required. Flight times are local, schedules change with the season and the carrier's confirmation on the day of booking governs. Before booking, Goodhope Freight gives the shipper a list of rates, capacity and loading conditions; once confirmed, booking and departure are arranged, and urgent cargo can request priority capacity subject to carrier approval.
Specialist freight services from China
Oversized and irregular cargo on freighters.The Boeing 747-8F has an opening nose, so Chinese auto parts, machinery and over-length irregular pieces can be declared and loaded to freighter standards; accurate piece weight and dimensions and packing method are required at consignment.
High-value industrial cargo.NCA freighter capacity suits Chinese electronic information products, high-end consumer goods and high-value industrial goods, and the Narita transit follows freighter terminal security procedures, reducing the risk of repeated handling of high-value cargo.
Trans-Pacific mainline to North America.It has operated the Narita to San Francisco to New York route since its 1985 first flight, with a North American network covering Anchorage, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Dallas, which suits large batches of Chinese exports to the United States.
Semiconductor components on the return leg.The return direction carries mainly semiconductor components and precision parts, matching the Chinese electronics supply chain, with high-value cargo booked to security and deadline requirements.
One-waybill routing through the Narita hub.After consolidation at Narita, Chinese cargo connects on one waybill to North America, Europe and Southeast Asia without re-consolidation at destination, which suits export orders distributed across several markets.
Summer and winter schedule rotation.NCA flies to published summer and winter schedules, so Goodhope Freight can help shippers lock in capacity for the next season before the change and secure peak-season space in advance.
Consolidation at Chinese gateways.Shippers in South China, including Guangzhou and Shenzhen, can consolidate and ship through Hong Kong; shippers in eastern China can hand over at Shanghai Pudong; shippers across the strait and in Hong Kong can connect through Taipei, with the domestic consolidation coordinated by Goodhope Freight.
Dangerous goods and lithium battery declarations.Exports involving dangerous goods, lithium batteries or magnetic cargo must be declared in advance against freighter limits, with us and the carrier jointly confirming loadability and packing requirements.
China contact
NCA has its own sales and customer service in China: the Shanghai branch office at Raffles City, Changning Road, Shanghai handles cargo sales and booking for eastern China, while for Hong Kong, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (HACTL) provides cargo customer service and ground handling. Office addresses and telephone numbers follow the latest publication on the airline website nca.aero, and any address change is subject to carrier confirmation on the day. Ground handling in Taipei is provided by a local agent.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, website https://goodhope86.com, accepts air freight consignments from major Chinese gateways to the Narita hub in Japan and onward through the NCA network to North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. We provide booking at the Chinese gateway, transhipment at Narita, distribution in North America and Europe and return consolidation as one integrated operation, and can help shippers reach the NCA Shanghai branch office and Hong Kong customer service for current capacity and schedule information.