OREANDA-NEWS. In April 2013, ANA Group set out its corporate strategy for FY2013-15 to position the Group as a best-in-class airline operator and a leader in the Japanese market. The Company announced that it intends to maximize group profits and value for stakeholders by focusing on the following elements:
- Capitalize on the company’s new corporate structure and enhanced management team
- Pursue a multi-brand approach; expanding the portfolio to include ancillary airline services
- Target expansion in high growth markets, including Asia
- Continue to differentiate ANA Group as the Leading Global Airline Group.

ANA Holdings has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Pan Am Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Pan Am International Flight Academy, Inc. (collectively, “Pan Am”), from American Capital, Ltd., investment funds managed by American Capital’s asset management affiliate and other Pan Am shareholders for USD 139.5 million approximately JPY 13.7 billion.

The acquisition is in line with ANA Holdings’ strategy to expand its portfolio to include ancillary airline services, including training facilities where world-wide demand is forecast to grow. ANA Group has an established presence in pilot training services through panda Flight Academy Inc., which it established in 2011. This acquisition will build on the existing footprint of ANA’s own pilot training division panda Flight Academy, and leverage the global recognition and trust of Pan Am. Pan Am has an excellent track record in pilot training for U.S., South America and Asian airlines and this transaction will enable ANA Group to capture increasing demand across these regions, particularly in Asia. It will also serve to accelerate ANA Group’s global expansion in this market.

In June, ANA Holdings Inc. made the decision to dissolve its LCC joint venture “AirAsia Japan” in order to develop its own LCC business in Japan. ANA Holdings acquired full control of AirAsia Japan. Today ANA announces today that it will establish a new company under which to operate. ANA will expand this new LCC business, base at Tokyo-Narita and Nagoya, utilizing the existing experience of AirAsia Japan along with the expertise of ANA Group’s management.

This new LCC business will make pleasure and resort destinations more accessible to customers, capturing broader market demand in the Tokyo area. It will operate under the brand concept: “Make leisure time valuable time”. ANA Group will announce the new brand in the middle of August 2013 followed by details of its flight plans at the end of September 2013.

ANA Group is to place orders for three new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and procure a new cargo aircraft (B767-300F) in order to strengthen its fleet and capitalize on the expansion of airport slots in the Tokyo area (Haneda and Narita). The introduction of the additional Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will further strengthen ANA Group’s long-haul network.

Moreover, to leverage the expansion of airport slots in the Tokyo area, ANA Group will procure a new cargo aircraft (B767-300F), rather than refurbish a passenger aircraft, allowing the airline to expand its network promptly at the time of the airport slots expansion in the Tokyo area.