Star Alliance members Singapore Airlines (SIA) and All Nippon Airways’ (ANA) could enter into a joint venture partnership as early as this month, The Straits Times reports.
If approved by the authorities on both sides, the partnership will pave the way for SIA and ANA to pool and share resources on routes as well as discuss and coordinate networks, flight schedules, capacity, fare pricing and inventory, the Singaporean newspaper said.
The scope of the proposed joint venture is for flights between Japan and Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and Australia, The Straits Times added.
The new partnership, which will go beyond the carriers’ current code-sharing agreement to let them coordinate schedules and fares, is expected to launch around 2021 once the airlines receive the necessary antitrust exemptions, according to a report in the Nikkei Asian Review.
“SIA and ANA are both members of Star Alliance. We have enjoyed cooperating on codeshares and in other related areas that has brought benefits to our customers. As we do with all airline members, we have regular discussions on how to expand our cooperation to deliver more value and opportunities to our customers,” Singapore Airlines said in an emailed statement to Business Traveller Asia-Pacific.
ANA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
ANA recently announced a new codeshare partnership with Virgin Australia, which will see both airlines implement codeshare flights between Japan and Australia, and introduce reciprocal frequent flyer benefits for their members.
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines signed an agreement with Malaysia Airlines in October last year to offer more codeshare routes and services
