ANA Holdings to Acquire Full Ownership of RegionalPlus Wings

ANA Holdings announced that it will acquire 100 % of RegionalPlus Wings, the holding company of midsize carriers Airdo and Solaseed Air, through a stock-swap transaction slated for April. ANA already holds more than a 15 % equity stake in RegionalPlus Wings. The move will make the two airlines wholly owned subsidiaries while retaining the Airdo and Solaseed Air brands for the time being, with a medium-term possibility of rebranding under the ANA name.

Japan TimesANA Holdings Explains Plan to Fully Acquire RegionalPlus Wings

ANA cited several pressures driving the integration: a slow rebound in high-yield business travel after the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan’s declining population and labor shortages, and rising fuel and maintenance costs amplified by a weak yen. The company also noted higher expenses from digital-transformation investments that had been delayed during the pandemic. A recent policy change by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism removed the previous restriction that limited major airlines’ equity stakes in midsize carriers to 10 %, allowing the current transaction. Earlier, slots at Haneda Airport were reclaimed when an investment exceeded that 10 % threshold.

ANA Holdings Explains Plan to Fully Acquire RegionalPlus Wings Japan Times

During the initial phase, ANA will centralize three core functions—route planning, procurement, and revenue management—for Airdo and Solaseed Air. ANA’s business-planning division will balance supply and demand across all three carriers, freeing aircraft and crew for international routes, which ANA identifies as a growth area. Consolidated procurement is expected to lower aircraft and fuel purchasing costs, while airport-facility management will also be merged. The airlines currently operate 64 daily flights on 11 routes (Airdo) and 80 daily flights on 14 routes (Solaseed Air). ANA estimates that reclaiming 49 Haneda slots (23 from Airdo, 26 from Solaseed Air) will be subject to transitional measures and possible additional slot surrender if required by the Japan Fair Trade Commission during its merger review.

ANA Holdings Explains Plan to Fully Acquire RegionalPlus Wings Japan Times

ANA Holdings said the acquisition aims to improve profitability of its domestic network by integrating flight operations and achieving economies of scale. The company emphasized that brand retention will be considered carefully, with any future rebranding to the ANA name dependent on community and employee feedback. ANA also indicated that mileage programs will remain unchanged for now.

ANA Holdings Explains Plan to Fully Acquire RegionalPlus Wings

The transaction remains subject to approval by the Japan Fair Trade Commission, which may impose route-by-route competition assessments and could require further slot adjustments. ANA expects to coordinate with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau on slot reclamation timing and will continue discussions on brand and corporate integration without a set timetable.

ANA Holdings Explains Plan to Fully Acquire RegionalPlus Wings