All Nippon Airways announces direct flight from Japan to Chennai

Looking at India's ever-expanding aviation sector, Japan’s largest and 5-star airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) has decided to enter the country's airline market as part of its plan to expand its routes in Asia with a direct flight from Japan to Chennai, according to the company statement. Notably, Chennai will become the third city in India served by ANA after Delhi and Mumbai.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is gearing up to begin its service in winter 2019. The ANA flight will mark a decisive move towards Asia-Oceania for the Japanese airline, which wants to capitalize on massive growth across the region. The flight on the Chennai route would bring the total number of ANA destinations to 46, said the company.

“Our strategic vision revolves around meeting the needs of today’s consumers while also positioning ourselves for future success,” said ANA General Manager India, Yasuo Taki. 

He further said, “It is hard to ignore the growth potential of Chennai and when the nearby cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad are factored in, the case for expansion becomes overwhelming. We look forward to offering service to Chennai in the years to come and hope we can play a part in bringing the best of this dynamic city to the world.”

According to the airline, ANA projects international passenger flights to be a large driver of revenue in 2019 and beyond and has selected key cities for its latest routes. 

It said, "both cities represent vibrant economic hubs that were previously underserviced by Japanese carriers. While prospects are good in the short term, future growth projections offer a reason to hope for even greater returns. By building an early base of support, ANA aims to retain market share as these cities grow and become more important on the global stage."

While Bangalore and Hyderabad are bases for IT, Chennai is primarily known for its industry and has been called the “Detroit of India.” The southern city is also the second largest port in India, making it an important trade hub. These factors and more will make it a significant base for cargo as well as passenger transportation.