Shipping group NYK Line’s subsidiary Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) has announced plans to resume its Tokyo to New York flights at the request of customers both in Japan and the US.

The airline suspended the flights in August last year as fuel costs hit the roof and aircraft availability fell, the company said in a press release.

“Despite positive factors in favour of resuming Tokyo-New York flights, including stability in fuel prices and a changed market environment, the international air cargo market remains extremely harsh,” NCA said in the statement.

“Despite the severity of the conditions, NCA has taken the plunge and will resume the New York route.”

The date the Narita International Airport to John F Kennedy International Airport service will resume will be announced following approval from authorities, the airline said.

Nippon Cargo Airlines is Japan’s only purely freight air carrier and the second largest international carrier, following Japan Airlines..