ANA - All Nippon Airways (NH, Tokyo Haneda) has filed an application with Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLITT) for antitrust immunity for its proposed trans-Pacific air cargo venture with United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare).
The partnership - the first of its kind between the US and Asia - will allow both carriers to compete more effectively with other airlines that maintain a significant presence in both markets.
Regulatory approval obtained, United and ANA will be able to jointly manage trans-Pacific air cargo business activities including scheduling, pricing, and sales.
"This will allow the carriers to offer customers a greater selection of routings and cargo space along with a wider range of service options," ANA said in a joint communique.
In September, ANA secured regulatory approval for a similar strategic air cargo joint venture with Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) which will focus on traffic between Japan and Europe.
ANA recently unveiled a new cargo business unit, ANA Cargo, whose responsibility includes sales, marketing and operations. It uses a fleet of ten B767-300Fs based out of Okinawa Naha, Osaka Kansai and Tokyo Narita.
