Air Japan to shut down in March 2026 as ANA Group streamlines brand portfolio
Air Japan, the mid-range international carrier owned by ANA Holdings, will end all operations in March 2026. The decision reflects the group’s plan to simplify its business model and focus on two distinct brands — ANA for full-service travel and Peach for budget operations.
- ANA Holdings will close its mid-market airline, Air Japan, on 28 March 2026, consolidating operations under two brands — ANA and Peach Aviation.
- The closure ends a short-lived experiment in hybrid international services, as ANA Group seeks to simplify operations and reduce brand overlap.
- Aircraft and crews from Air Japan will be absorbed into ANA’s mainline operations, while Peach will continue handling low-cost routes.
ANA Holdings announced on 30 October 2025 that Air Japan will cease operations on 28 March 2026, with its final flights expected to depart the following day. The decision comes less than three years after the brand launched scheduled international services in early 2023.
According to the group, Air Japan’s withdrawal will mark the end of its three-brand structure — which included ANA, Air Japan and Peach Aviation — in favour of a streamlined two-brand approach.
“By focusing on the ANA and Peach brands, we will clarify our market position and strengthen competitiveness,” the company said in its statement.
Air Japan had operated mid-range international routes such as Tokyo Narita to Bangkok, Singapore and Seoul, using Boeing 787 aircraft configured entirely in economy class. It was designed as a hybrid concept — more affordable than ANA, but with higher service standards than a typical low-cost carrier.
A brand caught between two markets
In practice, the hybrid model proved difficult to sustain. Industry analysts note that Air Japan faced overlapping market segments with both ANA and Peach, causing brand confusion and complicating route management.
According to industry publication Aviation A2Z, the carrier also struggled with aircraft delivery delays and operational challenges, while competition in Asia’s mid-market segment intensified after the pandemic.
Aviation consultant Hiroshi Tanaka explained that the airline “was squeezed between ANA’s premium focus and Peach’s cost efficiency”, making its long-term viability uncertain.
“The hybrid model works well in theory, but Japan’s cost environment and customer expectations make it hard to sustain,” he said.
The brand’s closure follows similar consolidation trends among Asian airlines seeking to cut complexity after the volatile pandemic recovery period.
Transition plan and customer impact
Air Japan’s final timetable will conclude with the end of the winter 2025–2026 season. Tickets remain on sale until that date, with affected passengers to be rebooked on ANA or Peach flights depending on the route.
ANA Group confirmed that Air Japan’s fleet, crew and ground operations will be integrated into its broader network. This move is expected to strengthen ANA’s international capacity while allowing Peach to focus exclusively on domestic and regional routes.
Passengers who have bookings beyond March 2026 will receive full refunds or alternative flight options. Loyalty programme points and benefits will continue to apply through ANA Mileage Club.
Simplification and strategic focus
The restructuring reflects ANA Group’s broader effort to sharpen its strategic focus after several challenging years for Japan’s aviation sector. The company has been contending with rising fuel prices, a weak yen and supply chain disruptions affecting aircraft deliveries.
“This integration will allow us to allocate resources more effectively and operate with greater flexibility,” an ANA Holdings spokesperson said. “We remain committed to offering both full-service and affordable travel options for our customers.”
By operating only two brands, ANA Group expects lower marketing and administrative costs, clearer customer segmentation and more efficient use of its Boeing 787 fleet.
Peach Aviation, meanwhile, will continue to expand its regional footprint in Asia, targeting the leisure and inbound travel segments that have rebounded strongly since borders reopened.
