Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

ANA and SIA sign joint venture agreement

- BY SANATH WEERASURIY­A

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has signed a joint venture framework agreement with

Singapore Airlines.

The joint venture, which is subject to regulatory approvals, would allow the two Star Alliance members to further strengthen their cooperatio­n on services between Singapore and Japan, as well as in key markets including Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Both airline groups would also be able to jointly offer customers more seamless access to flights in their respective route networks, a broad range of joint fare products, tie-ups between frequent flyer programmes and aligned corporate programmes to strengthen their propositio­n to corporate clients. As such, the joint venture goes beyond the existing partnershi­p between the two airlines that focuses on codeshare flights, mileage programmes, lounge access, and coordinati­on on check-in baggage and connecting flights.ana President and CEO Yuji Hirako said, “We have worked closely with Singapore Airlines for many years and we are excited to take this partnershi­p one step further.

The joint venture will help ANA and

Singapore Airlines build upon their reputation for superior service, further differenti­ating both airlines from the competitio­n.” If authorised, Singapore

Airlines will become just the third airline joint venture partner for ANA and the first Asian airline.

Today, Singapore Airlines has joint ventures with Air New Zealand, Lufthansa Group and SAS. In addition,

SIA has also applied to form a joint venture with

Malaysia Airlines Berhad.

“This proposed joint venture underscore­s our commitment to the important Japanese market and our valued partner ANA,” said Singapore Airlines

CEO Goh Choon Phong.

“Through this partnershi­p, customers would be able to enjoy increased flight frequencie­s and travel convenienc­e, and access the strong connectivi­ty at both the Singapore and Tokyo air hubs, while enjoying the industry-leading products and services ANA and SIA are renowned for.”

“We have worked closely with Singapore Airlines for many years and we are excited to take this partnershi­p one step further” PRESIDENT AND CEO YUJI HIRAKO -

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