HAVING received anti-trust immunity approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport, All Nippon Airways (ANA) looks set to go ahead with plans to launch a strategic joint venture with Deutsche Lufthansa AG on Japan-Europe routes.
The joint venture will allow ANA and Lufthansa to work together on schedule coordination and joint product sales. Customers will benefit from seamless transfers and better connections. The two carriers aim to introduce the joint venture during the 2011 winter timetable.
Christoph Franz, chairman of the executive board & CEO, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said: “This approval marks a great step forward for our customers. Optimised flight schedules will better enable them in future to plan their trips between Japan and Europe.”
Shinichiro Ito, ANA president & CEO, said: “This agreement will further improve the level of service we offer to passengers and boost our company’s international competitiveness.”
This latest agreement between the two Star Alliance members follows the launch of a similar joint venture between ANA and United Airlines on trans-Pacific routes in April.
