Parent company, ANA Holdings has merged its separate freight units: Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), NCA Japan (NCAJ), and ANA Cargo (ACX), consolidating them as single entity to enhance ANA Group’s air cargo capabilities. The decision became effective on 01APR26, with Nippon Cargo Airlines continuing as the operating arm, thus maintaining its Air Transport Business License and Air Operator Certificate.
The reorganization will speed up the integration of the different units, standardize international sales structures, and consolidate the warehouse operations of All Nippon Airways, and Nippon Cargo Airlines, stresses a release published by the Holding company. The key reason of the move is to strengthen the competitiveness of ANA Group’s cargo business, by combining the expertise of ACX as a combination carrier with the specialized cargo expertise of NCA and NCAJ as dedicated freighter operators. By further enhancing the synergy between its passenger flight network and freighter operations, the group will provide end-to-end solutions – integrating everything from sales to flight operations and cargo handling. This will allow the group to be more agile and responsive to customer needs and the rapidly changing market conditions, ultimately delivering even greater convenience and value to its customers, the announcement emphasizes.
Joint sales platform
Since the NCA Group joined the ANA Group in AUG25, both players have expanded collaboration through shared cargo capacity and codesharing, particularly across North America and Europe. This next phase of integration will enable greater efficiency and a more seamless customer experience, predicts the Holding company. The most significant novelty is that ANA and NCA will establish a joint sales platform in each market. Through these new platforms, freight forwarders will have access to both ANA’s and NCA’s flight capacities.
At the same time, both airlines will continue to operate their flights separately in their respective markets. Regarding the issuance of air waybills, the statement notes somewhat cryptically that this matter will depend on current operating conditions and applicable regulations.
On way to becoming Asia’s leading combi carrier
Thanks to unified sales structures outside the Japanese home market, customers will have a single point of contact across the entire network, regardless of the airline operating under the ANA roof. Furthermore, warehouse operations in Japan will be consolidated, and cargo handling outside Japan will be optimized.
ANA Holdings positions cargo as a core driver of long-term growth. The reorganization supports the group’s goal of achieving 30 billion yen (equivalent to more than 160 million euros) in integration and synergy effects outlined in its ‘ANA Group Medium-Term Corporate Strategy’. By combining NCA’s dedicated freighter network with ANA’s international passenger network, the group aims to become Asia’s leading combination carrier while delivering greater flexibility, reliability and value to customers.
Route JVs still remain dormant
When asked whether the restructuring of the cargo business would affect the route joint venture signed between Lufthansa Cargo and ANA Cargo, a Lufthansa Cargo spokesperson said that this was not the case. The agreement remains in place but continues to be suspended, with no firm date set yet for its resumption. This marketing and capacity agreement, signed in 2014, was put on hold following the merger plans between ANA and its competitor, NCA.
ANA Cargo and United Cargo entered into a similar agreement, which also remains inactive for the time being.
