IAG Cargo hopes to restart Tokyo service to meet demand for pharma transportation

IAG Cargo is hoping the restart of a service to Tokyo by sister company British Airways will help meet demand for pharma transportation.

The London Heathrow-Tokyo Haneda service will restart on November 13 after a year-long pause utilising B787-8 and B787-9 aircraft.

“This service will support the flow of pharmaceuticals, made possible by IAG Cargo’s Constant Climate service for handling temperature-sensitive goods,” IAG Cargo said.

“Electronics and automotive parts are amongst other popular items, as well as unique shipments including Japanese dried foods.”

During the pandemic, IAG Cargo maintained the connection with Japan through the use of cargo-only flights.

Rob Wiemerink, regional commercial manager for Asia Pacific and Middle East at IAG Cargo, said: “This route not only offers our customers capacity between UK, Europe and Asia, but also facilitates the movement of trade into North and South America.

“I’m pleased to see these important trade lanes beginning to return after a long-awaited pause due to Covid-19.”

In 2021, the volume of freight handled at Tokyo Haneda was up around 7% year on year to 828,000 tons.