United Airlines, Continental Airlines and ANA were granted antitrust immunity (ATI) by the Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, in accordance with the Civil Aeronautics Act, enabling the carriers to establish a joint venture and to combine their trans-Pacific networks.
CHICAGO – United Airlines, Continental Airlines and ANA were granted antitrust immunity (ATI) by the Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, in accordance with the Civil Aeronautics Act, enabling the carriers to establish a joint venture and to combine their trans-Pacific networks.
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation granted United, Continental and ANA tentative ATI approval on Oct. 6, 2010. Upon final approval by DOT and completion of an open skies agreement between the United States and Japan, the three carriers intend to begin implementation of their joint venture in spring 2011.
The carriers intend to jointly develop flight schedules and sales activities. As a result, those customers traveling between the Americas and Asia will enjoy a more convenient flight schedule with a wider range of fare and product options.
About ANA
ANA (All Nippon Airways Cp., Ltd.) is a leading Japanese provider of air transportation services, with the highest priorities on exceptional service and safe operations, carrying more than 47 million passengers a year. ANA operates as one of the world’s largest airlines, serving 126 domestic Japanese routes with 936 daily flights and 38 international and regional routes to 27 cities in Asia, Europe and North America, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Honolulu.
As a member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, ANA passengers enjoy access to a network of 1,172 airport destinations in 181 countries, and reciprocal benefits such as mileage accrual and reception and lounge access.
About United Continental Holdings, Inc.
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries worldwide through its 28 member airlines. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. For more information about United Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com, and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.