This article is based on an official press release from ANA Holdings.

ANA Holdings Unveils Aggressive FY2026-2028 Strategy Targeting Narita Expansion

On January 30, 2026, ANA Holdings (ANAHD) announced its new Medium-term Corporate Strategy for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. Under the theme “Soaring to New Heights towards 2030,” the group has outlined a roadmap shifting from post-pandemic recovery to a phase of aggressive growth, underpinned by a record 2.7 trillion yen investment plan over the next five years.

The strategy identifies the planned expansion of Narita International Airport in 2029 as a critical business opportunity. According to the company, this infrastructure upgrade will serve as a catalyst for expanding its global footprint. Financially, the group is targeting record-breaking performance, aiming for 250 billion yen in operating income by FY2028 and 310 billion yen by FY2030.

Strategic Pivot: The “2029 Catalyst”

A central pillar of the new strategy is the preparation for the massive infrastructure upgrade at Narita International Airport, scheduled for completion in March 2029. This expansion includes the construction of a new third runway (Runway C) and the extension of Runway B, which is expected to increase the airport’s annual slot capacity from 300,000 to 500,000 movements.

ANAHD views this development as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity. The group’s network strategy is divided into two distinct phases:

• FY2026-2028: The Airlines will prioritize expanding flights at Haneda Airport to capture high-yield business demand during the immediate term.
• Post-2029: The focus will shift to Narita Airport to leverage the new capacity. The group targets 1.7x growth in Narita-based flights, specifically strengthening connections to North-America and Asia.

Fleet and Product Upgrades

To support this expansion, ANAHD plans to introduce new Boeing 787-9 aircraft starting in August 2026. These aircraft will feature upgraded seats in all classes, a move designed to enhance the airline’s premium appeal in the competitive international market. The total fleet is expected to expand to approximately 330 aircraft, exceeding pre-COVID levels.

Cargo and LCC Integration

Following the acquisition of Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) in August 2025, ANAHD is positioning itself as a “combination carrier” powerhouse. The strategy outlines a goal to integrate ANA’s passenger belly-hold capacity with NCA’s large freighter fleet, which includes Boeing 747-8Fs.

“The group aims to realize 30 billion yen in synergies, positioning the group as a global logistics powerhouse.”

, ANA Holdings Press Release

By combining these assets, the group intends to expand its Cargo-Aircraft scale (Available Ton-Kilometers) by 1.3 times, targeting leadership in the Asia-North America and Asia-Europe trade lanes.

Peach Aviation Growth

The group’s low-cost carrier, Peach, is also targeted for 1.3x growth in scale. The strategy emphasizes capturing inbound tourism demand through Kansai International Airport and expanding international medium-haul routes.

Financial Targets and Digital Transformation

The financial roadmap set forth by ANAHD is ambitious. The group aims to achieve an operating margin of 9% by FY2028 and 10% by FY2030. To achieve these figures, the company has committed to a 2.7 trillion yen investment over five years, with 50% allocated to international passenger and cargo growth.

AI is another significant investment area, with 270 billion yen allocated to digital initiatives. The group aims to increase value-added productivity by 30% by FY2030 compared to pre-COVID levels. This includes a focus on “Empowerment of All Employees,” training staff as digital talent to combat Japan’s shrinking workforce.

AirPro News Analysis

The strategic distinction between ANA and its primary domestic competitor, Japan Airlines (JAL), is becoming increasingly defined by hub strategy and cargo volume. While both carriers are modernizing fleets and targeting North American traffic, ANA’s explicit “dual-hub” timeline, banking heavily on the 2029 Narita expansion, suggests a long-term volume play that complements its high-yield Haneda operations.

Furthermore, the integration of NCA provides ANA with a diversified revenue stream that acts as a hedge against passenger market volatility. By securing dedicated freighter capacity via NCA, ANA is less reliant on passenger belly space than competitors who lack a dedicated heavy-freighter subsidiary, potentially giving them an edge in the logistics sector.

Shareholder Returns and Sustainability

In response to market demands for capital efficiency, ANAHD has signaled a commitment to Total Shareholder Return (TSR). The policy includes maintaining a dividend payout ratio of approximately 20% and introducing a new interim dividend system starting next fiscal year. The group also noted it would execute flexible share buybacks.

On the Sustainability front, the group reiterated its goal of Net-Zero CO2 emissions by 2050, focusing on operational improvements and the accelerated adoption of SAF.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the new strategy go into effect?

The Medium-term Corporate Strategy covers the fiscal years 2026 through 2028, beginning April 1, 2026.

What is the “2029 Catalyst”?

This refers to the completion of the Narita Airport expansion in March 2029, which includes a new third runway and will increase slot capacity to 500,000 movements annually.

How much is ANA investing in this plan?

ANA Holdings plans a total investment of 2.7 trillion yen over five years.

What is the target for operating income?

The group targets 250 billion yen in operating income by FY2028 and 310 billion yen by FY2030.

Sources

• ANA Holdings

This article summarizes reporting by CBS News and Megan Cerullo.

United Airlines Systems Upgrade to Pause Bookings and Check-Ins Early Wednesday

Airlines is scheduled to perform a major technology upgrade to its reservation system in the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 4, 2026. According to reporting by CBS News, the maintenance window will temporarily disable key customer services, including the ability to book flights, check in, and manage reservations.

The outage is expected to last approximately three and a half to four and a half hours, beginning around 1:30 a.m. CT (2:30 a.m. ET). During this time, the airline will migrate its “Shares” reservation system from a legacy data center in North Carolina to a modern facility in Chicago. United Airlines has described this move as a critical step toward improving long-term system reliability and performance.

Impact on Travelers and Services

Passengers traveling early Wednesday morning or attempting to use United’s digital tools during the outage window will face significant service disruptions. As detailed in reports regarding the upgrade, the following services will be unavailable:

• Booking: Customers will be unable to purchase new tickets via the website, mobile app, or call centers.
• Check-In: Online and app-based check-in will be disabled. Airport kiosks may also be non-functional during the migration.
• Reservation Management: Passengers will not be able to change or cancel existing bookings.
• Flight Status: Real-time updates on the app may be interrupted.

Traveler Advice: Check In Early

To mitigate potential disruptions, United Airlines has strongly urged customers flying on Wednesday morning to check in up to 24 hours in advance. Travelers should complete their check-in process on Tuesday and download mobile boarding passes before the system goes offline.

Additionally, the airline recommends carrying a printed boarding pass as a precaution. Passengers checking bags for early morning flights are advised to arrive at the airport with extra time, as manual processing may be required while systems are brought back online.

Modernization and Infrastructure Strategy

This upgrade represents a significant shift in United’s digital infrastructure strategy. The airline is moving its legacy “Shares” mainframe, a system inherited during its merger with Continental Airlines, to a new, high-tech data center. According to industry reports, this transition is designed to reduce the frequency of system crashes and enable faster data processing.

The move also supports broader technological improvements, including the integration of cloud-based infrastructure. By modernizing the backend, United aims to support advanced tools such as “Connection Saver,” which helps hold flights for connecting passengers without disrupting the wider schedule, and to facilitate the rollout of Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet.

“Starting early Wednesday, United customers won’t be able to book flights and access other services as the airline upgrades its reservation system.”

, CBS News

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AirPro News Analysis

The decision to migrate a legacy mainframe system like “Shares” is a high-stakes operation for any major carrier. In the aviation industry, these reservation systems are the central nervous system of operations, handling everything from ticketing to weight and balance calculations. While the temporary outage is inconvenient, the shift from a legacy data center in North-America to a modern facility in Chicago suggests United is prioritizing long-term stability over short-term uptime.

Recent years have seen various carriers suffer from “system meltdowns” due to aging IT infrastructure. By proactively scheduling this downtime for a migration, United appears to be taking a preventative approach to avoid the kind of catastrophic, unplanned failures that have grounded fleets in the past. If successful, this modernization could serve as a benchmark for how legacy carriers can update aging tech stacks without crippling operations for days.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly is the outage?

The upgrade is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from approximately 1:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. CT.

Can I still fly if I have a ticket?

Yes, flights are expected to operate. However, you must check in before the outage begins (ideally on Tuesday) and should bring a printed boarding pass.

Will my frequent flyer data be safe?

Access to MileagePlus accounts will be paused during the maintenance, but data is being migrated to the new secure facility.

Sources

• CBS News

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

Ryanair Targets Free In-Flight Wi-Fi by 2030, Pending Tech Breakthroughs

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has announced a strategic pivot regarding in-flight connectivity, stating that the ultra-low-cost carrier aims to offer free Wi-Fi across its fleet within the next three to five years. According to reporting by Reuters, the timeline places the potential rollout between 2029 and 2031.

However, the plan comes with a significant caveat: the technology must advance sufficiently to eliminate the aerodynamic drag caused by current satellite antennas. O’Leary, known for his strict adherence to cost-cutting measures, emphasized that the airline will not move forward until the hardware imposes zero “fuel penalty.”

This development marks a departure for Ryanair, which has historically rejected in-flight internet due to the added weight and drag associated with the necessary equipment. The airline is reportedly in discussions with major connectivity providers, including SpaceX’s Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and Vodafone, to find a solution that fits its ultra-efficient business model.

The “Fuel Penalty” Standoff

The core obstacle to immediate adoption is the operational cost associated with external antennas. In comments cited by Reuters, O’Leary argued that current antenna technology creates significant drag, which increases fuel consumption.

O’Leary estimated the financial impact of this drag to be substantial:

“We are not going to put antennas on the aircraft that create drag and burn more fuel.”

According to the CEO’s figures, a 2% increase in fuel burn caused by external domes could cost the airline between $200 million and $250 million annually. He insists that for the service to be viable, the cost of carriage must be negligible.

The Dispute with Starlink

These figures have been a point of contention. Recent industry reports highlight a public disagreement between O’Leary and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk regarding the actual impact of modern antennas. While O’Leary cites a 2% penalty, Starlink engineers have publicly countered that their modern flat-panel antennas result in a drag penalty closer to 0.2% to 0.3%, a fraction of the airline’s estimate.

Despite the disparity in data, Ryanair maintains that the service must be free for passengers, arguing that travelers on short-haul European flights (averaging 1 to 2 hours) are unwilling to pay for connectivity. This necessitates a model where the operational costs are virtually non-existent.

Technical Feasibility and Implementation

To achieve the goal of zero drag, O’Leary suggested that future antennas might need to be integrated into the aircraft’s existing structure, specifically mentioning the “nose cone or baggage hold” as potential locations.

AirPro News Analysis: The Engineering Reality

While the ambition to hide antennas is logical for aerodynamics, placing them inside the baggage hold presents significant technical hurdles. The fuselage of a Boeing 737 is constructed primarily of aluminum, which acts as a Faraday cage, effectively blocking satellite signals. For an antenna to function from inside the hold, the aircraft skin would likely need to be replaced with a composite material transparent to radio waves, a major and costly structural modification.

Similarly, utilizing the nose cone (radome) poses challenges. This space is already occupied by the aircraft’s critical weather radar. While integrating satellite communications here is theoretically possible, space constraints and potential interference make it a complex engineering task.

It is more likely that the “technology improvement” Ryanair is waiting for refers to the maturation of Electronically Steerable Antennas (ESAs). These ultra-low-profile flat panels sit atop the fuselage but are significantly thinner than traditional domes, drastically reducing drag, even if not eliminating it entirely.

Market Context and Competitors

Ryanair’s potential entry into the Wi-Fi space would place it in direct competition with other low-cost carriers (LCCs) that have already embraced connectivity. The landscape is currently divided between those offering free service and those charging for access.

• JetBlue: Widely considered the gold standard for LCC connectivity, the U.S. carrier offers free, high-speed Wi-Fi to all passengers. They have also signed as a launch partner for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, with installations beginning in 2027.
• Norwegian: The first European LCC to offer free Wi-Fi, providing a basic tier for browsing at no cost, with paid upgrades for streaming.
• Vueling: Offers high-speed connectivity but operates on a paid model, charging passengers based on usage packages.

Ryanair’s strategy appears to align more closely with JetBlue’s future model, leveraging new LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite networks like Starlink or Amazon Kuiper to provide high-speed, low-latency connections without the high costs associated with legacy geostationary satellites.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Ryanair offer Wi-Fi?
The CEO estimates a timeline of 3 to 5 years, placing the launch between 2029 and 2031.

Will Ryanair charge for Wi-Fi?
No. The stated goal is to offer the service completely free, as the airline believes short-haul passengers will not pay for it.

Who will provide the service?
Ryanair is currently talking to Starlink, Amazon Project Kuiper, and Vodafone, but no official partner has been selected.

Sources

• Reuters