Japan Airlines returns to freighter business

Japan Airlines is going back to the future. Thirteen years after getting rid of its freighter business as part of a bankruptcy reorganization, the passenger carrier is reintroducing a dedicated cargo fleet in a strategic move to capitalize on growth opportunities in the cargo and mail sectors. JAL said last week it will pluck three Boeing 767-300ER jets from its passenger fleet and send them to an airframe overhaul facility for conversion into pure freighters capable of carrying large containers on the main deck. The airline began embracing cargo more seriously in December when it announced plans for low-cost subsidiary…