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All Nippon Airways

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All Nippon Airways, known as ANA, is the largest airline in Japan.

Shiodome City Center 2018
Shiodome City Center 2018

Its main headquarters are in the Shiodome City Center in Minato, Tokyo. The company employs about 12,800 people to keep things running. ANA flies to many different places both inside Japan and around the world. It is also a member of the Star Alliance, which is a group of airlines that work together.

ANA Group Organization
ANA Group Organization

This large network helps travelers reach many far-off destinations.

The way the airline works involves many different smaller companies. ANA controls several passenger carriers like ANA Wings and Air Japan. It also owns Peach Aviation, which is a low-cost carrier.

ANA aircraft at Sapporo airport
ANA aircraft at Sapporo airport

Some of these companies focus on local trips, while others fly long distances. There is even a division called Allex Cargo that flies heavy goods. This system of many parts helps the airline serve many different types of travelers. It makes sure there are planes for every kind of journey.

ANA has a very long history that began in the 1950s. One of its earliest ancestors was Nippon Helicopter and Aeroplane, founded on December 27, 1952.

Founders of Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports
Founders of Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports

This company started with helicopter services in February 1953. On December 15, 1953, it flew its first cargo flight between Osaka and Tokyo. This was a special moment because a Japanese pilot flew it.

All Nippon Airways Old Logo
All Nippon Airways Old Logo

By 1957, the name changed to All Nippon Airways Company. In 1958, it merged with Far East Airlines to become a very large private airline.

Over many years, the airline added many types of planes to its fleet. In 1965, it introduced its first jet, a Boeing 727.

ANA Boeing 737-200 old livery
ANA Boeing 737-200 old livery

Later, in 1971, it bought its first widebody aircraft, which were six Lockheed L-1011s. The airline also uses many other planes like the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A320.

ANA L-1011-1 (1992 Osaka International Airport)
ANA L-1011-1 (1992 Osaka International Airport)

In 1986, ANA finally broke a monopoly to start flying to other countries. Its first international passenger service went from Tokyo to Guam on March 3, 1986.

JA797A-LHR-20240410-192710
JA797A-LHR-20240410-192710

You can see how ANA connects to the world through its many routes. It grew from small helicopter trips to flying to huge cities like London and New York.

The airline even used special planes, like the Woody Woodpecker-themed Woody Jet, to make flying fun. Today, the parent company is ANA Holdings, which was created in April 2013. This big group manages over 70 different companies.

ANA & JP Express Boeing 767-300ERF KvW
ANA & JP Express Boeing 767-300ERF KvW

It helps the airline stay strong in a changing world of travel.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Founders of Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane Transports.png
Founders of Japan Helicopter & Aeroplane...
File:ANA Boeing 737-200 old livery.jpg
ANA Boeing 737-200 old livery.jpg
File:All_Nippon_Airways_Old_Logo.jpg
All_Nippon_Airways_Old_Logo.jpg
File:ANA Boeing 747SR PER Wheatley.jpg
ANA Boeing 747SR PER Wheatley.jpg
File:ANA L-1011-1 (1992 Osaka International Airport).jpg
ANA L-1011-1 (1992 Osaka International...
File:ANA aircraft at Sapporo airport.JPG
ANA aircraft at Sapporo airport.JPG
File:All Nippon Airways B747-481s at Tokyo International Airport's second terminal building.jpg
All Nippon Airways B747-481s at Tokyo...
File:JA797A-LHR-20240410-192710.jpg
JA797A-LHR-20240410-192710.jpg
File:Shiodome City Center 2018.jpg
Shiodome City Center 2018.jpg
File:ANA Group Organization.svg
ANA Group Organization.svg
File:Utility Center Building 01.jpg
Utility Center Building 01.jpg
File:ANA & JP Express Boeing 767-300ERF KvW.jpg
ANA & JP Express Boeing 767-300ERF KvW.jpg

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