**Update: 20/11/19 @ 16:08 UTC – An ANA spokesperson confirmed that the new routes will be year-long, details below**

All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced that it will be expanding its operations from next summer with 12 new routes. Each of these new services will depart the airline's hub of Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND).

What are the routes?

According to a press release sent by the Japanese carrier, the new routes will start from summer 2020. ANA will be serving non-stop on new flights to three different continents from the Haneda.

Five of these are US destinations, including Washington D.C., Houston, San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle. The rest will serve Delhi, Istanbul, Milan, Moscow, Shenzhen, Stockholm and Qingdao. Currently, the airline serves Delhi, Houston, San Jose, Seattle, and Washington D.C. from Tokyo-Narita. Meanwhile, there will be an increase in flights to Los Angeles. 

These operations will be ready in time for the rush expected ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan's capital. There is a wave of other airlines improving on services to Tokyo as demand is expected to surge.

ANA 787
ANA is the largest airline in Japan by income and passengers served. Photo: Boeing

High demand

Like ANA, Japan Airlines (JAL) also recently announced that it will launch a flight to San Francisco from Tokyo. However, it will be from Narita rather than Haneda. Furthermore, a few weeks ago, British Airways announced that it will increase the number of seats it will offer to Narita next year.

Along with this, Sir Richard Branson was in the mood to party after Virgin Australia was awarded a slot at Haneda. Therefore, it's no surprise that ANA is excited about its vast expansion during this time.

ANA will be working around the clock from Haneda and Narita as Japan's tourism is set to surge even higher next year. Senior Vice President Seiichi Takahashi spoke of the expansion, stating that by having such a large presence at both airports it will be able to serve passengers more effectively.

“There is growing demand to visit Japan, and ANA will increase its international service just as Haneda Airport also expands to adapt for inbound Japanese tourism,” Takahashi said, as per the press release.

“These new routes will increase the ease and convenience for passengers flying to Japan from across the world, a significant benefit of our dual hub strategy.”

ANA, Self Service, Bag Drop
ANA was the launch customer of the Boeing 787 back in 2011. Photo: Boeing

First of its kind

The flights to Istanbul, Shenzhen, and Stockholm will be the first-ever direct operations from a Japanese airline. Previously, in regards to the Milan and Moscow flights, ANA used to transit in these cities. However, now these will be available as the final destinations.

An Ana spokesperson confirmed to Simple Flying that these new Haneda routes are not part of a seasonal shift. Ultimately, these new services show that the airline is looking to start the new decade with a strong 2020. 

What do you think of ANA's new services? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.