All Nippon Airways Marks Four Decades of Global Service and Sets Ambitious Targets for International Passenger and Cargo Growth

(IN SHORT) All Nippon Airways celebrated the 40th anniversary of its international scheduled flights on March 3, 2026, marking four decades since its inaugural Narita–Guam service in 1986. The airline’s global network has expanded to 55 routes serving 40 cities, including recent additions in Milan, Stockholm and Istanbul, with approximately 170 million cumulative international passengers carried as of December 2025. As part of its growth strategy, ANA aims to expand its international passenger and cargo business by 1.3 times by fiscal 2030 and will begin introducing upgraded Boeing 787-9 aircraft from fiscal 2026 to enhance onboard service. Anniversary celebrations at Narita Airport included a commemorative ceremony, employee talk sessions, and a banner send-off for Flight NH881 to Perth. The airline also launched special merchandise, a commemorative inflight magazine edition, and a dedicated anniversary website to honor its 40-year international journey.

(PRESS RELEASE) TOKYO, Japan, 2026-Mar-3 — /Travel PR News/ — All Nippon Airways (ANA) commemorated the 40th anniversary of its international scheduled operations on March 3, 2026, marking four decades since its inaugural Narita–Guam service first took flight in 1986 aboard a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. What began as a single overseas route has since evolved into a global network spanning 55 routes across 40 cities, including newly launched services to Milan, Stockholm and Istanbul.

As of December 2025, ANA’s cumulative international passenger count has reached approximately 170 million travelers, underscoring the airline’s steady growth beyond Japan’s borders. The anniversary milestone arrives as ANA positions its international business as a central engine of long-term expansion. By fiscal 2030, the ANA Group intends to increase the scale of its international passenger and cargo operations by 1.3 times compared with fiscal 2025 levels.

Beginning in fiscal 2026, the carrier will introduce additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft equipped with newly designed seats in all cabin classes. The fleet upgrades are aimed at enhancing onboard comfort and service quality while reinforcing ANA’s competitiveness in long-haul markets.

Over the past four decades, ANA’s international operations have earned global recognition. The airline has maintained a 5-Star rating from Skytrax for 13 consecutive years and has received the WORLD CLASS award from Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for two consecutive years, reflecting consistent service standards.

A commemorative ceremony was held at Narita Airport Terminal 1 on March 3, the exact anniversary of ANA’s first international departure. Ahead of the formal proceedings, long-serving employees participated in a talk session recalling the early days of international expansion and the determination of frontline staff who helped shape the airline’s overseas presence. The celebration featured a traditional Choshi Hane-Daiko drum performance, adding a distinctly local touch to the event.

Shinichi Inoue, President and CEO of ANA, addressed attendees and reflected on the carrier’s transformation from a largely domestic operator to a globally connected airline. He described the 40-year journey as a foundation for the next stage of growth, particularly as Narita Airport prepares for further expansion in 2029. ANA aims to strengthen its position as a premier “combination carrier,” integrating passenger and cargo services to drive sustainable international growth.

To mark the occasion, Flight NH881 from Narita to Perth received a banner send-off from employees gathered on the ramp. All passengers traveling on March 3 were presented with commemorative stickers, while those onboard the Perth service also received a special boarding certificate and an exclusive luggage tag.

Beyond the airport celebrations, ANA has launched a range of anniversary initiatives. Limited-edition commemorative merchandise is now available, including collaboration items under the “PEKO for ANA” anniversary design featuring Peko-chan dressed in the airline’s 1986 seventh-generation flight attendant uniform. These items are being sold through ANA’s official online shopping platforms and onboard domestic flights via the ANA STORE@SKY service.

Additionally, ANA introduced an original 40th anniversary bottle created in collaboration with ALLDAY. The tumbler design incorporates the silhouette of the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar alongside ANA’s classic logo, rendered in a deep matte navy tone inspired by the stratospheric sky.

The March issue of ANA’s inflight magazine, TSUBASA GLOBAL WINGS, has been released as a special commemorative edition. It includes a message from Inoue, a retrospective of the airline’s international journey, interviews with employees supporting current global operations, and a feature on Western Australia tied to Flight NH881. Complementing the print edition, a dedicated 40th anniversary website now showcases archival photography and employee stories highlighting the airline’s international legacy.

Looking ahead, ANA underscores its commitment to further strengthening its global network and delivering elevated air travel experiences worldwide, positioning its international business as a strategic pillar for the decades to come.

Contact: ANA Corporate Communications, TEL +81-3-6735-1111, publicrelations@ana.co.jp