ANA and AirAsia to form AirAsia Japan


TOKYO--(Marketwire - Jul 21, 2011) -


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


          ANA and AirAsia to form 'AirAsia Japan'


New joint venture the first low-cost carrier based at Narita
International Airport, Tokyo


TOKYO, July 21, 2011 - ANA Group, Japan's largest airline, and AirAsia,
the world's best low cost airline, today announced that they are
teaming up to form AirAsia Japan, a new low-cost carrier.

AirAsia Japan will be the first low-cost carrier to be based at Narita
International Airport. Operating under the AirAsia brand, it is to
serve both domestic and international destinations when commencing
operations in August 2012, subject to obtaining the relevant approvals.

In Japan, the aviation market is undergoing rapid transformation with
developments including the expansion of Open Skies agreements and
increased domestic competition from road and rail-based travel. In
addition, Narita airport, a major international hub serving Tokyo, is
seeking to increase capacity with the introduction of a new terminal
and is expected to attract many low-cost carriers and foreign airlines.

ANA has been seeking opportunities to launch a new low-cost business
based at Narita and, after analysis, has concluded that partnering with
an existing low-cost carrier is the most efficient and strategically
advantageous option.

Having already established an unmatched network,especially within the
ASEAN region, AirAsia has been seeking a business partner with strong
Japanese market influence to further expand its scope, as well as
contribute to strengthening bilateral ties between ASEAN andJapan.

The formation of AirAsia Japan leverages AirAsia's successful business
model and brings together the complementary strengths of the two
companies, generating new demand with the aim of making affordable and
quality travel available to all.



To view the full release visit the company's website
 http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/aboutana/press/index_sm.html 



For more info, please contact:

ANA PR:  Ryosei Nomura and Megumi Tezuka
Tel:     3-6735-1111
Email:    publicrelations@ana.co.jp 

AirAsia Communications:  Daphne Cheah
Office No.:    8660 4541
Email:   cheahuijen@airasia.com 

Kreab  Gavin Anderson: Oliver Ormrod, Minako Hattori
Tel:     5404 0640
Email:  oormrod@kreabgavinanderson.com 



                    This information is provided by RNS
          The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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