At Japan Airlines (JAL), 480 new lightweight cargo containers have entered into service on its international routes. The new cargo container, manufactured by Cargo Composites, weighs 58kg, which is 41kg less than the outgoing aluminium container manufactured by Nordisk. The new container is made of synthetic resin in honeycomb structure, which affords greater intensity and durability than the aluminium version.
When the maximum 44 cargo containers of the same size are loaded on to a Boeing 777-300ER, the new containers create a weight saving of 1,804kg compared to the aluminium versions, according to the airline. This in turn can reduce fuel consumption by 800 litres for a one-way trip on the Narita-New York route, added JAL. Additionally, using high-intensity materials can also reduce the frequency of repairs, further improving cost efficiency.
