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All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Hokkaido International Airlines (Air Do) signed a memorandum to begin talks on a comprehensive alliance aimed at improving income and rationalizing costs at both airlines.
By filing with the Tokyo District Court for protection from creditors under the Civil Rehabilitation Law, Air Do will start anew with assistance on the operations side from ANA. Areas under consideration are reservations system commonality, maintenance of aircraft, parts supply, provision of ground handling services and cabin attendant training.
"This alliance is evidence of how travelers between Hokkaido and Tokyo will win when passenger benefits are enhanced and efficiencies realized," said Yoji Ohashi, ANA's president and CEO, "the operating environment in the competitive airline industry has increased in severity and this development will better position us to succeed."
As a part of their proposed alliance, ANA and Air Do aspire to increase benefits to consumers and will review ways to improve convenience. These include code-sharing* on flights** operated by Air Do between Sapporo and Tokyo's centrally located Haneda airport and reciprocity between the carriers' frequent
flyer program.
*Subject to government approval
**Air Do operates six roundtrip flights a day |
