All Nippon Airways’ first Boeing 777 Freighter has started operations with flights from Tokyo to Shanghai via Kansai.

The 777F, nicknamed Blue Jay arrived on 24 May at Tokyo Haneda International Airport, making All Nippon Airways the first airline in Japan to operate the aircraft type.

From today (2 July) until 25 August, it is flying on a Tokyo Narita-Kansai-Shanghai Pudong route on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

From 26 August, it will fly directly from Tokyo Narita to Shanghai Pudong five times a week.

Toshiaki Toyoma, president of ANA Cargo says: “The Boeing 777F aircraft elevates the ANA fleet to a new level. These 777Fs are significantly larger than the Boeing 767F models used to ferry cargo in Asia, giving ANA additional flexibility in how the aircraft are used. The aircraft will aid in the expansion of ANA’s services to include a whole new set of customers and increase ANA’s ability to safely transport larger cargo.”