Brendan Sobie / Singapore
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has decided against any near-term regional jet purchase and is instead considering more Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprops. The Japanese carrier initially investigated 70-seat regional jets, then focused on smaller types compatible with a ban on aircraft with more than 60 seats at Nagoya's Komaki airport from 2005 once nearby Central Japan International airport opens. ANA considers both to be unviable (Flight International, 12-18 September).
Regional jets in Japan have high labour costs and many airports do not differentiate between regional and narrowbody jets in setting fees.
ANA's Air Nippon Network subsidiary began operating Q400s at the beginning of November and has six on order.
ANA last week unveiled plans to open a "regional hub" at the new airport, with services to Seoul, Shanghai and other Asian cities.
ANA is also looking at deploying Q400s on several domestic routes from the new airport as well as from Osaka Itami and offering increased frequencies on key business routes.
Source: Flight International
