Singapore Airlines, ANA launch Asian joint venture
The beefed-up alliance between Singapore Airlines and Japan's ANA will focus on the Asia-Pacific market.
By David Flynn, January 31 2020
Singapore Airlines and ANA will forge even closer bonds than their shared Star Alliance membership through the launch of a joint venture which would not only cover the Asia-Pacific market but could also see the opening of a new route from Singapore to New York via Tokyo.
The partnership, which is subject to approval by the relevant authorities in each country, would encompass flights between Japan and Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and India, and go beyond the airlines' current code-sharing agreement to let them coordinate pricing and schedules on those routes.
A joint statement issued by ANA and Singapore Airlines said "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 programs and aligned corporate programs to strengthen their proposition to corporate clients."
Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, promised the alliance meant "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."
ANA and Singapore Airlines already operate similar joint venture partnerships with fellow Star Alliance member Lufthansa, while ANA inked a joint venture partnerships with United Airlines in 2011. Singapore Airlines also operates joint ventures with Air New Zealand and SAS, with a Malaysia Airlines JV in the works.
Also up in the air is the possibility of Singapore Airlines flying to New York via Tokyo, again in concert with ANA. The 'fifth freedom' route, which Singapore Airlines applied for in mid-2019, could potentially replace the current Singapore-Frankfurt-New York Airbus A380 service.
Singapore Airlines currently flies to Los Angeles via Tokyo, in addition its non-stop Airbus A350 to LAX.
Approached for comment by Executive Traveller, a Singapore Airlines spokesman said "at this stage we have nothing to announce with regards to fifth-freedom services between Tokyo and New York."
As previously reported, ANA and Virgin Australia have forged a partnership which will include codesharing on each other's flights and reciprocal perks such as lounge access for Velocity Frequent Flyer and ANA Mileage Club members.
ANA will also adopt a double-daily schedule between Sydney and Tokyo from late March 2020, with a largely daytime flight complementing the current overnight services.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 969
I'm keen for that route from Sydney, then over to London and home via Singapore
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1205
Is it only me or do the benefits both airlines proclaim to in their joint statement seem largely just a recap of the benefits you would think would come automatically since both airlines are members of the same global alliance. in this case Star? It sort of confirms my belief that global alliances are largely irrelevant in the 2020s with bilaterals being much more popular and meaningful.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
I see higher prices in the pipeline
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Mar 2014
Total posts 1
Interesting to see a JV between SQ and MH in star alliance and one world. I wonder how that will translate.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
19 Mar 2018
Total posts 68
ANA is dealing with
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