ANA and Vietnam Airlines Agree to Form Japan-Vietnam Joint Venture

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and flag carrier Vietnam Airlines have signed a comprehensive framework agreement in Tokyo to establish a joint venture covering commercial flights between Japan and Vietnam. The landmark bilateral arrangement aims to move cooperation beyond traditional codesharing into fully integrated scheduling, pricing, and revenue coordination, significantly expanding travel options across two of Asia's most rapidly expanding aviation markets.

The signing ceremony took place on Monday, November 9, 2026, during an official state visit to Japan by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President. The agreement marks a major milestone in bilateral civil aviation relations as both carriers seek to accommodate burgeoning corporate traffic, leisure tourism, and labor migration corridors connecting the two nations.

Deepening a Decade-Long Strategic Alliance

The joint venture agreement formally coincides with the tenth anniversary of the corporate alliance between the two carriers. In May 2016, parent conglomerate ANA Holdings reached a definitive agreement to acquire an 8.8% equity stake in Vietnam Airlines for approximately $109 million, securing a strategic seat on the Vietnamese carrier's board of directors.

Since establishing their capital ties, the two carriers have expanded bilateral codeshare operations launched in October 2016, introduced reciprocal frequent flyer privileges linking ANA Mileage Club and Lotusmiles, and aligned passenger handling at key international gateways. Previous annual disclosures from Vietnam Airlines highlighted that exploratory discussions regarding a deeper joint venture structure had been progressing since 2021 to optimize fleet utilization and commercial revenues.

Scope of Coordination and Regulatory Milestones

Under the agreed framework, the proposed joint venture will allow ANA and Vietnam Airlines to function as unified operators on bilateral routes between Japan and Vietnam. Rather than relying on simple interline or codeshare agreements, the carriers plan to synchronize timetables, harmonize fare structures, establish common corporate sales programs, and execute revenue-sharing arrangements.

Implementation of the joint venture remains contingent upon formal clearance from relevant civil aviation authorities and competition regulators in both Tokyo and Hanoi. Crucially, the carriers must secure antitrust immunity (ATI) to legally coordinate flight frequencies, ticket pricing, and capacity allocation without breaching anti-monopoly regulations. Both airlines stated they are preparing comprehensive joint filings to submit to regulatory bodies in both jurisdictions.

Bridging Star Alliance and SkyTeam Boundaries

An exceptional aspect of the proposed partnership is that it bridges distinct global airline alliances. ANA has long served as a cornerstone Asian member of Star Alliance, whereas Vietnam Airlines has operated as a core Southeast Asian representative within the rival SkyTeam alliance since 2010.

Cross-alliance commercial joint ventures remain rare within global aviation, requiring robust bilateral trust. Speaking at the commemorative ceremony in Tokyo, ANA President and Chief Executive Officer Juichi Hirasawa emphasized that the initiative aims to create higher-quality travel experiences, noting that unwavering mutual trust sustained the relationship through industry downturns. From Hanoi, Vietnam Airlines President and Chief Executive Officer Le Hong Ha characterized the joint venture as a crucial strategic step to bolster competitiveness, foster commercial growth, and reinforce economic and tourism links between Vietnam and Japan.

Bilateral Route Networks and Market Competition

The commercial alliance will combine complementary route networks across major Asian gateways. Vietnam Airlines presently maintains the largest flight capacity in the bilateral market, linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, Osaka Kansai, and Fukuoka, alongside services connecting Da Nang with Narita and Osaka. The Vietnamese flag carrier is slated to increase its Hanoi to Osaka frequency to 14 weekly flights beginning December 1.

ANA operates daily non-stop services linking Tokyo Narita with Hanoi, Tokyo Narita with Ho Chi Minh City, and Tokyo Haneda with Ho Chi Minh City, with Narita routes operated by group subsidiary Air Japan utilizing Boeing 787-8 widebody aircraft. The combined venture will provide a formidable response to aggressive low-cost competition led by Vietjet, which operates 138 weekly flights between the two countries, while competing alongside full-service peer Japan Airlines. Executives noted that future cooperation may also explore air cargo synchronization and expanded flight operations personnel training.