Four of Japan’s leading transport groups are linking up to form a joint cargo airline to servethe Asia-Pacific express and freight markets. Japan Post, All Nippon Airways, Mitsui OSK Lines and
Nippon Express will all be shareholders in the start-up carrier, which will be named ANA & JPExpress, or AJV.The launch of the new airline was originally announced last autumn as a joint venture betweenAll Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Post. But in a joint statement released by the four companies onMonday, it was announced that shipping line Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and leading Japanese freightforwarder Nippon Express are also coming on board.
The new airline will be established in February, initially 100 per cent owned by ANA. In April,Japan Post, subject to approval by the Japanese government, Nippon Express and MOL will acquireholdings in the airline. ANA is expected to become the majority shareholder with a 51.7% interest,Japan Post holding 33.3%, Nippon Express 10% and MOL 5%.
Under the four-way cooperation, ANA will largely run the airline with Kenkichi Honbo, at presentANA Senior Vice President Cargo Marketing and Services, as its head. Japan Post will use thecarrier for international express items, Nippon Express will provide freight shipments and marketexpertise, while MOL plans general logistics cooperation with the airline.
Flights are planned to commence in August this year. ANA & JP Express will operate usingANA’s fleet of Boeing 767 freighters, which currently comprises three aircraft. Four more areexpected to be delivered by October 2008, three of which will be converted versions of ANA 767passenger aircraft.
“This is a great step forward for ANA as we move to truly establish cargo as the third pillar ofour business,” said ANA President and CEO, Mineo Yamamoto, speaking on behalf of all four parties.“We are delighted to work with Japan Post and welcome onboard our new partners Nippon Express andMitsui O.S.K. Lines – with our combined know-how and experience, I have every confidence that wecan achieve our business goals, which are to provide high quality, competitive express courier andgeneral air cargo services,” he said.
