All Nippon Airways and Singapore Airlines signed a joint venture agreement Thursday to bolster their competitive stance in Asia’s increasingly crowded aviation market.
The partnership, which recently received regulatory approval from Japanese authorities, will allow the two carriers to coordinate flight schedules, align fares, and share revenues initially on routes between Singapore and Japan.
The alliance represents a significant upgrade from their existing relationship under the Star Alliance global network. Under the new agreement, customers flying outbound with one carrier and returning with the other will benefit from lower round-trip fares starting in September.
ANA President Shinichi Inoue cited market shifts and growing competition as key motivations for the partnership during the Tokyo signing ceremony. The carriers plan to strengthen flight connectivity by adjusting timetables and improving transfers.
The deal was originally announced in 2020 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The companies have now secured antitrust clearances from both Singapore and Japan, with applications pending in Australia, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia for future expansion.
ANA operates three daily flights between Japan and Singapore, while Singapore Airlines runs ten. The partnership marks ANA’s first joint venture with an Asian airline, supplementing its existing agreements with United Airlines and Lufthansa.
