Star Alliance member All Nippon Airways (ANA) and EL AL Israel Airlines (EL AL) have entered into a commercial agreement marking the beginning of a codeshare partnership to connect Japan and Israel.
The partnership will start in spring 2024 with ANA placing its “NH” code on EL AL operated flights on the Tel Aviv – Tokyo Narita route, which was inaugurated in March 2023.
Subsequently, EL AL will place its “LY” code on select ANA routes, including domestic routes within Japan.
The airlines are also planning to sign a frequent flyer programme agreement, enhancing benefits for members traveling between Japan and Israel, including premium customer services and reciprocal mileage earning and redemption.
“ANA is excited to begin this partnership with EL AL, and we hope that it will provide safe and convenient travel with greater opportunities for both business and leisure passengers between Israel and Japan,” said Shinichi Inoue, president and CEO of ANA. “This partnership will strengthen customer service and connections between our countries and further enhance the relationship that has been growing in all areas for over 70 years.”
“With the launch of the EL AL flights between Tel Aviv and Tokyo Narita, we have seen a great deal of interest of travellers between the two countries. The cooperation between EL AL and ANA is an important element in ensuring the success of this route,” said Dina Ben Tal Ganancia, CEO of EL AL. “We look forward to our codeshare and reciprocal frequent flyer agreement which will bring tremendous benefits to our mutual customers and further strengthen the ties between our two countries.”
Founded in 1952 with just two helicopters, ANA has grown to become the largest airline in Japan. ANA HOLDINGS (ANAHD) was established in 2013 as the largest airline group holding company in Japan, comprising 69 companies including ANA and Peach Aviation, its local LCC in Japan.
ANA is a launch customer and the largest operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, making ANAHD the biggest Dreamliner owner in the world. A member of Star Alliance since 1999, ANA has joint venture agreements with United Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines and Austrian Airlines.
EL AL was founded in November 1948 as Israel’s national carrier and operated its first scheduled flight in 1949. In June 1950, EL AL began service between Tel Aviv and New York.
Today EL AL, along with Sund’or, the leisure subsidiary of EL AL Israel airlines – serves more than 50 international destinations in more than 35 countries.
In March 2023, EL AL launched the first nonstop service between Tel Aviv and Tokyo, and Tel Aviv and Dublin as a part of a network expansion programme. EL AL will re-launch its flights to Mumbai and inaugurate flights to New Delhi later this year.
