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All Nippon Airways

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All Nippon Airways, commonly called ANA, is the largest airline in Japan.

Shiodome City Center 2018
Shiodome City Center 2018

It is headquartered in the Shiodome City Center in Minato, Tokyo. The company employs approximately 12,800 people to manage its vast operations. ANA provides services to many domestic and international destinations. It is also a member of the Star Alliance, a global network of airlines.

ANA Group Organization
ANA Group Organization

This membership allows for a wider reach across the globe.

The airline operates through a complex structure of many different companies. ANA Holdings Inc. serves as the parent company for the entire group. This holding company was created in April 2013 to handle industry changes. It manages over 70 companies, including various subsidiaries. Some of these are passenger carriers like ANA Wings and Air Japan. Others are low-cost carriers, such as Peach Aviation.

ANA Group Organization
ANA Group Organization

There is also a freighter division called Allex Cargo, which is operated by Air Japan.

The history of ANA begins with two separate companies founded in late 1952. The first was Nippon Helicopter and Aeroplane, founded on December 27, 1952.

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

This company began helicopter services in February 1953. It operated its first cargo flight between Osaka and Tokyo in December 1953. This flight used a de Havilland Dove and was flown by a Japanese pilot. The second ancestor was Far East Airlines, founded on December 26, 1952. It began night cargo runs in January 1954. In March 1958, these two companies merged. This merger created Japan's largest private airline with a market capitalization of 600 million yen.

As the airline grew, it expanded its fleet with many different types of aircraft. In 1960, it added the Vickers Viscount to its fleet. By 1965, ANA introduced its first jet, the Boeing 727.

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

That same year, it also introduced the NAMC YS-11, a homegrown turboprop airliner. In 1971, the airline purchased its first widebody aircraft. These were six Lockheed L-1011 TriStars.

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

This purchase involved complex negotiations between leaders from the US, Japan, and the UK. Later, ANA introduced Boeing 747s in 1976 and Boeing 767s in 1983.

For a long time, the government-owned Japan Airlines held a monopoly on international flights. ANA could only operate international charter flights until this changed. Its first international charter was a Boeing 727 flight to Hong Kong in 1971. In 1986, ANA finally began scheduled international passenger services. The first route was from Tokyo to Guam on March 3, 1986.

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

Following this, ANA expanded to cities like Los Angeles, London, and Paris. It eventually reached New York and Singapore by 1991.

ANA has achieved significant success and recognition in the aviation industry. In 2004, the airline's profits exceeded those of Japan Airlines for the first time. Air Transport World named ANA its "Airline of the Year" in 2007.

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

The airline also earned praise for its punctuality. From 2003 to 2006, it was recognized as the most punctual airline between London and Tokyo. To improve the passenger experience, ANA launched the "Inspiration of JAPAN" concept in 2009.

ANA Inspiration of Japan - First Square
ANA Inspiration of Japan - First Square

This included redesigned cabins for its 777-300ER aircraft.

Today, the ANA Group continues to evolve through strategic investments and new service models. In 2019, ANA Holdings purchased a 9.5% stake in PAL Holdings for US$95 million. The company also manages a diverse range of services, from cargo to ground operations. This includes the AJV freighter operations, which was founded with partners like Japan Post.

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

By managing many specialized companies, ANA can serve many different types of travelers. Whether flying a large jet or a small regional plane, the group remains a major force in global 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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