All Nippon Airways (ANA) and EL AL Israel Airlines (EL AL) have entered into a commercial agreement marking the beginning of a codeshare partnership to connect Japan and Israel. The partnership will start in Spring 2024 with ANA placing its “NH” code on the EL AL operating flights on the Tel Aviv – Tokyo Narita route, which was inaugurated in March 2023. Subsequently, EL AL will place its “LY” code on select ANA routes, including domestic routes within Japan.
The airlines are also planning to sign a Frequent Flyer Program agreement, enhancing benefits for mileage members traveling between Japan and Israel. Members can expect premium customer services and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and premium customer benefits as part of the agreement.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) – Air Japan Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner JA891A (msn 40751) (Inspiration of Japan) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960431.
ANA on May 1, 2023 will increase the flight frequency on the Narita = Shanghai (Pudong) route to 7 roundtrips per week, and together with flights to/from Haneda, the flights on the Shanghai route (Pudong and Hongqiao) will be raised to 3 roundtrips per day from the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The Kansai = Shanghai (Pudong) route will resume service on June 5 with 3 roundtrips per week, which had been suspended for approximately 3 years since March 2020.
For the Narita = Guangzhou route, the flight frequency will be increased with daily roundtrip service from May 1, and the Haneda = Shenzhen route will enter service with daily roundtrips from May 20.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has announced updates to its flight schedule for fiscal year 2023 (FY2023). The summary of the announcement regarding our international flights is given below.
Schedule for May 1～Oct. 28, 2023:
*Subject to governmental approval
*1 Sales scheduled to begin on May 9, 2023
*2 Sales scheduled to begin on April 26, 2023. We will announce the schedule after June 26 as soon as it is decided.
Top Copyright Photo: ANA (All Nippon Airways) – Air Japan Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner JA891A (msn 40751) (Inspiration of Japan) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 960431.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 777-281 ER JA745A (msn 40904) (‘Kimetsu no Yaiba – Demon Slayer Jet Vol. 3) ITM (Akira Uekawa). Image: 960405.
ANA (All Nippon Airways) has released this third version of the special livery promoting the animated TV series, following JA608A (Volume 2) and JA616A (Volume 1).
The special livery is called ‘Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) Jet Volume 3″.
ANA commented on the series of special liveries:
“ANA and ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ are both high-profile cultural ambassadors for Japan, and we are excited about continuing our partnership to promote domestic travel,” said Junko Yazawa, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience Management & Planning of ANA. “The debut of the latest ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ inspired livery is a sign of how ANA is aiming to bring passengers back through engaging promotions onboard the aircraft.”
On this third version, the airline issued this statement:
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-Star airline for nine consecutive years is launching its third painted aircraft featuring pictures and characters from the popular animated TV series “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” ANA Group began its collaboration with the anime in December 2021, and the first aircraft with “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” livery entered service on domestic routes on January 31, 2022 and the second aircraft on March 26, 2022.
The design for the new livery is based on an original illustration by ufotable, drawn exclusively for the ANA aircraft and illustrates characters Tanjiro, Rengoku and Tengen in a dynamic pose. The special livery will be on the Boeing 777-200ER (aircraft number: JA745A) aircraft. In addition, special in-flight announcements* by Tanjiro, Rengoku and Tengen can be enjoyed onboard.
“The latest ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ inspired livery is dedicated to the return of an entertaining and unique travel experience for our passengers,” said Tomoji Ishii, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience Management & Planning of ANA. “This partnership highlights Japan’s rich pop culture and restores a coveted in-flight experience.”
Top Copyright Photo: ANA (All Nippon Airways) Boeing 777-281 ER JA745A (msn 40904) (Kimetsu no Yaiba – Demon Slayer Jet Vol. 3) ITM (Akira Uekawa). Image: 960405.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) and the Pokémon Company have teamed up under the “Pokémon Air Adventures” to launch its specially painted “Pikachu Jet NH*” on June 4, 2023. The collaboration will include a series of special products and services including original goods and inflight entertainment.
Image: ANA
With easing travel restrictions, the “Pokémon Air Adventures” is a project set to elevate the excitement of travel with the world of Pokémon. This new endeavor is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment for people to experience the joy of travel and the pleasure of mobility once again.
The ANA Group believes in connecting people and communities through travel and we are delighted to introduce the “Pikachu Jet NH”, with hopes to rekindle the joy and excitement among our customers.
*NH: NH is the airline code that recognizes ANA as defined by the International Air Transport Association.
1. Specially painted “Pikachu Jet NH” aircraft (scheduled to begin service on international routes from June 4, 2023)
■ Operation period: Approximately 5 years from June 4, 2023
■ Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 aircraft (JA894A)
■ Design concept: The “Pikachu Jet NH” aircraft features a livery designed for ANA, in which the Sky High Pokémon Rayquaza is depicted across the entire fuselage to create a vivid effect. Charizard, Latias, Latios, Vivillon, and other flying Pokémon from all over the Pokémon world move together with Pikachu toward the shining rays of hope and endless possibilities of an interconnected world. Pokémon are also hidden inside the engines, so please keep an eye out for them when boarding on your next adventure with the Pikachu Jet!
■ The following is a list of routes that may be operated from June 4, 2023 to October 28, 2023. The routes are subject to change due to changes in operations.
● Haneda – Bangkok (NH847/NH850/NH849/NH848)
● Haneda – Singapore (NH841/NH844/NH843/NH842)
● Haneda – Jakarta (NH855/NH856)
● Haneda – Manila (NH869/NH870)
● Haneda – Ho Chi Minh City (NH891/NH892)
● Haneda – Delhi (NH837/NH838)
● Haneda – Sydney (NH879/NH880/NH889/NH890)
● Haneda – Vancouver (NH116/NH115)
● Haneda – Honolulu (NH186/NH185)
Please note that the routes/flights will not be decided until the day of the flight, as it changes daily depending on the operation status.
■ The interior cabin design of the “Pikachu Jet NH” and original goods to be distributed to passengers will be announced at a later date.
2. First original goods “Bath Poncho” (on sale from June 4, 2023)
The first original goods will be the “Bath Poncho,” which will go on sale on June 4, 2023. The product will be available to passengers on ANA international and domestic flights through the in-flight duty free sales service as well as the “ANA STORE@SKY” online shopping service accessible through the Wi-Fi on ANA domestic flights and lounges. Details will be offered in the May/June issue of ANA SKY SHOP (digital magazine) available from the end of April.
Please stay tuned for more original goods to be added in the future. Please note that the number of items in stock is constantly subject to change and may run out early.
3. In-flight entertainment (scheduled to be available on international flights from June 2023 and domestic flights from July 2023)
Passengers will be able to enjoy Pokémon-related content such as Pokémon Kids TV and POKÉTOON on all ANA international and domestic flights.
*Scheduled to start in June 2023 for international flights and in July 2023 for domestic flights.
*Contents are subject to change.
*For details, please check the ANA SKY CHANNEL, where more information will be available from the end of the previous month. The contents to be screened will differ depending on the time of boarding.
AirJapan, the new airline brand revealed in March 2022 for medium-haul international routes under ANA HOLDINGS INC., today unveiled select products and services to be introduced on its inaugural flights.
AirJapan offers comfortable cabin space at affordable prices under the brand concept of “Fly Thoughtful” by leveraging the experience of ANA Group’s full-service and low-cost carrier businesses. AirJapan intends to begin operating flights in February 2024 and expand its network over time, focusing on destinations in Asia.
AirJapan’s new livery
“At AirJapan, we are dedicated to the passion of our passenger’s pursuits, which inspires us to create inflight products and services to foster the innovative spirit of those flying with us,” said Hideki Mineguchi, President of AirJapan. “We hope the launch of these new amenities create a unique and outstanding travel experience for our passengers.”
Seats
The cabin will be configured with 324 economy class seats made of premium Japanese faux leather, renowned for its lightweight, durable and soft texture. With a generous seat pitch of 32 inches and recline feature, the seat design will allow passengers to unwind and experience optimal comfort in-flight.
AirJapan’s seat pitch of 32 inches (approx. 81 cm) is competitive to the industry standard offered by many other airlines. The wider front legroom and deeper reclining design provide passengers with a more comfortable in-flight experience.
・ As an added convenience for smartphone and tablet users, Type-A and Type-C USB ports and tablet holders are also provided.
・ The cabin interior and seats were designed by the British design company Acumen Design Associates, an award-winning product and transport design agency, renowned for its many innovations in aircraft interiors. The manufacturing was led by Safran, a world-leading supplier of quality seats to airlines worldwide.
Uniforms
AirJapan’s cabin attendant uniforms have been designed to express the brand’s “Fly Thoughtful” philosophy to value the unique qualities of our cabin attendants. The cabin attendants were involved from the earliest planning stages of the new uniforms, resulting in a design that embodies the brand’s core values of kindness to all . Notably, the uniforms have a borderless design, promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce by incorporating gender-neutral options and enabling variations in coordination.
Variations in the uniforms allow cabin attendants the flexibility to dress in their own unique way. There will be two types of bottoms- skirts and pants, and a choice of sneakers and leather shoes.
The design includes traditional Japanese cultural elements such as “knots” and “layers,” immersing passengers in Japanese culture from the first moment of boarding. The knot is represented by the brand’s color belt. In layering, a beautiful natural overlapping pattern was designed into details such as the hem of the skirt and sleeves.
As part of AirJapan’s commitment to sustainability, cabin attendant uniforms will be made in-part from plant-derived fabrics.
Boarding Music
When passengers board an AirJapan flight, they will hear music titled “Ai” with the traditional Japanese sounds of shakuhachi and koto created in collaboration with the Tokyo University of the Arts.
“This ensemble piece combines Japanese and Western instruments,” said Noel Hiyamizu, Composer, Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School. “The music’s traditional feel is contrasted by the modern vibe produced by the fresh grooves, and the classic Japanese sounds produced by the shakuhachi and koto complement the ensemble of the Western instruments and celebrate the beginning of a new journey. The title ‘Ai’ encompasses a wide range of meanings including ‘indigo,’ ‘love,’ ‘meetings’ and ‘encounters’ in Japanese. Shakuhachi player Dozan Fujiwara shared, “You can tell that this piece was made with an excellent understanding of melody and instrumentation. It also perfectly captures the excitement of a ‘new start.’ I am so happy that customers living outside Japan will be able to enjoy this stunning piece of Japanese music.”
Inflight Meals and Drinks AirJapan’s inflight meal service aims to create an unforgettable experience for our overseas customers’ trips to Japan with hopes they will revisit Japan in the future. At the same time, the meal service will help our Japanese customers rediscover the authentic tastes of Japan and feel at home.
AirJapan will offer menus for a set fee that may be reserved online in advance, and in addition, provide meals and snacks that can be purchased onboard the flight.
The specific menu selection will be announced at the start of ticket sales.
NYK Group, the owner of Nippon Cargo Airlines-NCA, has decided to sell Nippon Cargo Airlines-NCA to ANA due to rising costs. The company issued this statement:
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) hereby announces that on March 7, 2023, NYK entered into a certain memorandum of understanding with ANA HOLDINGS INC. to transfer entire shares of Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd. (NCA), our consolidated subsidiary, to ANAHD.
NCA was established in 1978 with the participation of several companies as an airline specializing in international cargo. NYK has been involved in the management of NCA as a major shareholder since its establishment, and in 2010, NYK acquired all of the entire shares of NCA with the aim of becoming a comprehensive logistics company offering ocean, land, and air transportation. However, the continuous introduction of new aircraft to expand the operation and maintenance system, and the continuous training of personnel engaged in operation and maintenance required a considerable expenditure. In the highly volatile business environment of airfreight transportation, NCA has been facing challenges in expanding its business scale at a level that is commensurate with such costs.
ANAHD, in order to dramatically enhance its international air cargo network and products and services based in Japan and also with the aim to contribute to the development of global economic activities both in Japan and abroad, expressed their strong desire to have NCA (the only Japanese airline dedicated exclusively to air cargo transportation) added to its business portfolio and integrated and reorganized with the cargo business of the ANA group in the future, thereby realizing the goal to provide high-quality and internationally competitive air cargo transportation services that can respond to the increasing sophistication of the supply chain.
NCA recently has been providing value to the public through its air cargo transportation business under its mission statement of “Never Stop Logistics even during the Covid-19 Pandemic”. However, in order for NCA to achieve further growth and increase corporate value from a long-term perspective which include environmental responsiveness, we believe that it is the best option to transfer shares of NCA to ANAHD which operates the same business, and has been providing NCA with cooperative relation to strengthen its maintenance system. Therefore, as a result of a series of discussions with ANAHD, NYK and ANAHD have reached a conclusion and entered into a basic agreement today to mutually promote and further consider this Transaction.
(Content of the Basic Agreement)
(1)
Purpose
To realize this Transaction, to confirm the status of discussions, and the intentions of NYK and ANAHD regarding the Transaction, which have been taking place by the date of execution of the Basic Agreement.
(2)
100% Acquisition
ANAHD will acquire all shares of NCA from NYK in a single transaction. A particular acquisition method (scheme) and other terms and conditions will be determined through continued discussion between NYK and ANAHD.
(3)
Closing Date
Subject to obtaining clearance under applicable competition laws and other conditions, the date of acquisition of NCA’s shares would be October 1, 2023, or a date to be separately agreed by NYK and ANAHD.
NCA currently operates a fleet of eight Boeing 747-8F freighter aircraft and also owns five Boeing 747-400F freighters that are operated by ASL and Atlas Air.
Top Copyright Photo: NCA-Nippon Cargo Airlines Boeing 747-8KZF JA17KZ (msn 36140) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960233.
