- ECS Group’s Globe Air Cargo France is partnering with All Nippon Airways and Nippon Cargo Airlines to support NCA’s cargo integration and growth in France, acting as a single sales interface to improve load factors, visibility and commercial efficiency.
- The combined freighter and passenger network expands customer access to capacity, destinations and specialised cargo solutions, with GAC France targeting key verticals including aerospace, pharma, automotive, high-tech, oversize cargo and other high-value commodities.
- NCA operates five weekly Boeing 747-8F services from Paris CDG to Japan, alongside regular flights to major Asian hubs including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok, Singapore and Taipei, while GAC France is driving efficiency through digital tools such as CargoAi and SkyPallet.
ECS Group’s Globe Air Cargo France (GAC France) is strengthening the cargo presence of Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) in the French market, as the two carriers deepen the integration of their air cargo networks to enhance capacity access, operational efficiency and customer reach across Europe and Asia.
The partnership positions GAC France as the single commercial and sales interface for both airlines in France, streamlining customer engagement while supporting improved load factors, network visibility and cargo management efficiency. The collaboration also reflects the broader transformation underway in the global air cargo sector, where airlines are increasingly consolidating resources and investing in digitalisation to optimise capacity utilisation and strengthen specialised cargo offerings.
Under the arrangement, GAC France will support the combined ANA and NCA network by driving commercial growth, strengthening key customer relationships and expanding market penetration across several strategic cargo verticals. The initiative is expected to provide French exporters and freight forwarders with broader access to Asian destinations, increased freighter capacity and more integrated cargo solutions through a single operational platform.
Jean Ceccaldi, Chief Executive Officer of ECS Group, said the cooperation represents an important milestone in the evolving partnership between ANA and NCA, while also reinforcing France’s role as a major European gateway for trade with Asia.
“GAC France is at the forefront of this historic cargo integration and will actively contribute towards optimising NCA’s capacity and network usage,” Ceccaldi said. “The combination of freighter and passenger operations creates a much broader offer for customers in terms of products, destinations and available capacity, all managed through a single interface.”
The partnership comes as demand for high-value and specialised cargo shipments between Europe and Asia continues to rise, particularly across sectors such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, electronics and temperature-sensitive freight.
GAC France already operates a centralised ANA Cargo team that coordinates operations, customer service and key account management. With the integration of NCA’s network and customer base, the company will also expand its focus to include oversized cargo, cargo aircraft only (CAO) shipments and other specialised commodities requiring dedicated handling expertise.
NCA currently operates five weekly Boeing 747-8 freighter services from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, routing via Amsterdam or Frankfurt to major destinations across Japan, including Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Okinawa, Osaka Kansai, Nagoya and Fukuoka. The airline also provides regular connectivity to major Asian cargo hubs such as Hong Kong and Shanghai through daily services, while Bangkok is served three times per week and Singapore and Taipei twice weekly.
The expanded network is expected to offer greater flexibility for freight forwarders moving goods between Europe and Asia, while supporting faster transit times and improved cargo flow management.
Franck Tordjman, Managing Director of Globe Air Cargo France, said the collaboration would help deliver stronger market visibility and enhanced service quality for customers in France.
“We are proud to support NCA in strengthening its presence in France,” Tordjman said. “By combining GAC France’s local market expertise with NCA’s extensive network and product capabilities, we can create new opportunities for customers while delivering greater efficiency, visibility and added value across important cargo sectors.”
Digitalisation also forms a key component of the partnership strategy. ECS Group said GAC France will utilise several of its technology-driven cargo management solutions to improve booking efficiency, capacity optimisation and customer access to real-time shipment information.
The company’s digital ecosystem includes CargoAi for real-time capacity visibility and instant quote-to-booking functionality, as well as SkyPallet, a platform designed to maximise pallet and aircraft load optimisation. ECS Group believes such tools will become increasingly critical as cargo operators seek to improve operational productivity amid growing global trade complexity and evolving shipper expectations.
Ceccaldi noted that expanding cargo networks and increasingly diverse product portfolios require advanced digital infrastructure to maintain operational efficiency and customer responsiveness.
“The larger the network and greater the product scope, the more important it becomes to ensure maximum process efficiency,” he said. “Digitalisation is therefore essential to support operational excellence and ensure the best possible use of available capacity.”
The strengthened ANA-NCA collaboration through GAC France also underlines the continuing strategic importance of Europe-Asia cargo corridors, particularly as supply chains diversify and demand grows for reliable, high-frequency air freight services capable of handling specialised and high-value shipments.
