All Nippon Airways (ANA) may have only just kicked off services to Sydney, but it’s already looking to fly beyond the city to other major hubs.
Speaking at the launch of the carrier’s daily Harbour City flights over the weekend, General Manager of Asia and Oceania, Kenya Inada, said the airline could consider flying to other cities, granted the current Haneda-Sydney flight takes off.
Which cities would the airline consider?
Kenya said he’d been keen on servicing the Melbourne market, which has experienced increased demand for travel to Japan.
He’d also consider Perth, which competitor, Japan Airlines, is also looking at expanding to in the coming year.
“We want to see success in the daily Haneda-Sydney route first, then we will look at other options later on.”
Kenya Inada, ANA General Manager of Asia and Oceania
“One idea might be Perth, but I do hear there is an increased demand from Melbourne as well.
“So I think that we will be considering cities such as those.”
In the meantime, ANA is focused on promoting its new Sydney service, which arrives daily at 9.35am and departs at 9.30pm.
The service is currently being utlised by the carrier’s special Boeing 787-9 decorated in Star Wars’ R2-D2 livery.
In addition to sporting R2-D2’s blue and white uniform, the 215-passenger Star Wars-inspired aircraft features seat headrests imprinted with the robotic paneling.
The plane helps distinguish the airline from its competitors, while also promoting this week’s release of the latest installment in the Star Wars franchise, The Force Awakens.
Sydney Airport CEO, Kerrie Mather, said the gateway was thrilled to welcome ANA and showcase its unique product to Sydneysiders.
“Japan has been Sydney’s fastest growing outbound destination over the last three years.”
Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport CEO
“It’s increasingly popular with business and leisure travellers, who will benefit from increased choice with the direct service to Tokyo and convenient links to ANA’s international and domestic routes.”
