Air Next

Air Next was a Japanese regional airline brand and company wholly owned by All Nippon Airways (ANA). It was created to operate domestic services within ANA's regional network, with Fukuoka Airport serving as its principal operating base. Although described in contemporary reference material as a low-cost or regional carrier, Air Next functioned within ANA's broader commercial and operational system rather than as an independent airline group with its own international network. The company was established on August 20, 2004, and began flying on June 21, 2005. Its initial operation used two Boeing 737-500 aircraft. The fleet expanded by two aircraft by the end of 2006 and by a further three during 2007, reaching seven aircraft. Air Next's route role was to provide domestic connections between Fukuoka and regional destinations, while also operating selected services from Okinawa. Destinations associated with the airline included Fukuoka–Komatsu, Fukuoka–Ishigaki, Naha–Miyako, and Naha–Ishigaki. Aircraft carried ANA's visual identity, with the words “Air Next” displayed in small lettering on the fuselage and a dolphin motif painted on each engine. Flights used ANA/NH flight numbers, while Air Next retained its own airline codes. This arrangement allowed the brand to contribute regional capacity while remaining closely integrated with ANA's scheduling, distribution, and customer-facing systems. Air Next was part of a wider ANA effort to organize domestic regional flying through several affiliated carriers. On October 1, 2010, Air Next was merged with Air Central and Air Nippon Network. The combined operation was rebranded as ANA Wings, ending Air Next's existence as a separate airline and brand. Publicly available material documents the company's establishment, operating base, selected routes, fleet development, aircraft presentation, and eventual consolidation, but does not provide a sufficiently complete basis for describing its financial performance, executive leadership, or detailed commercial strategy.

Air Next was established in Japan on August 20, 2004, as a wholly owned subsidiary of All Nippon Airways. The company was designed to support ANA's domestic regional network and was based operationally at Fukuoka Airport in Fukuoka. A contemporary reference also identifies Tokyo as the company's headquarters in February 2005, although the airline's principal operating base was Fukuoka. The airline's first flight took place on June 21, 2005. It began service with two Boeing 737-500 aircraft, a type suited to relatively short domestic sectors and the capacity requirements of regional routes. Air Next added two aircraft by the end of 2006 and three more in 2007, bringing the reported fleet to seven aircraft. Its route network included services linking Fukuoka with Komatsu and Ishigaki, together with routes from Naha to Miyako and Ishigaki. These routes positioned the carrier as a provider of domestic regional connectivity rather than a long-haul or international airline. Air Next operated closely alongside ANA. Its aircraft used ANA livery, with the Air Next name shown in smaller lettering on the fuselage and a dolphin image applied to each engine. Flights were sold and operated under ANA/NH flight numbers, while Air Next maintained separate airline codes. The arrangement combined a distinct operating company with the commercial visibility and network integration of the parent airline. During the late 2000s, ANA reorganized several affiliated regional carriers. The objective was to bring overlapping domestic operations into a more unified structure. On October 1, 2010, Air Next was merged with Air Central and Air Nippon Network. The resulting carrier was named ANA Wings. Following this consolidation, Air Next no longer operated as a separate airline and its independent brand was discontinued. The available historical record is strongest on the company's dates, ownership, operating base, aircraft type, selected destinations, visual identity, and merger into ANA Wings. It does not establish a complete account of Air Next's management team, financial results, passenger volumes, or every route operated during its existence, so those areas remain unspecified.

• 2010

  Merged into ANA Wings

  [1]Air Nexten.wikipedia.org

  Air Next was merged with Air Central and Air Nippon Network on October 1, 2010, and the combined business was rebranded as ANA Wings.

• 2007

  Fleet reaches seven aircraft

  [1]Air Nexten.wikipedia.org

  Three more aircraft were added during 2007, bringing the reported Air Next fleet to seven aircraft.

• 2006

  Fleet expansion continues

  [1]Air Nexten.wikipedia.org

  Two additional Boeing 737-500 aircraft were added by the end of 2006.

• 2005

  First flight

  [1]Air Nexten.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operations on June 21, 2005, with two Boeing 737-500 aircraft.

• 2004

  Air Next is established

  [1]Air Nexten.wikipedia.org

  Air Next was established in Japan on August 20, 2004, as a wholly owned subsidiary of All Nippon Airways.

An ANA-owned regional and lower-cost domestic airline providing feeder and regional connectivity within Japan, particularly from Fukuoka and Okinawa.

• Passenger airline service · 2005

  Domestic regional passenger flights

  Air Next's core offering was scheduled domestic passenger transportation within Japan. The airline operated as part of ANA's regional network, using Boeing 737-500 aircraft and concentrating on short- and medium-range connections involving Fukuoka and Okinawa. Its service complemented ANA's broader domestic network by linking regional airports and destinations that required smaller-scale or more specialized operations. Known routes included Fukuoka–Komatsu, Fukuoka–Ishigaki, Naha–Miyako, and Naha–Ishigaki.

• 2010

  Consolidation with Air Central and Air Nippon NetworkM&A

  Background

  ANA operated several affiliated domestic regional airlines, including Air Next, Air Central, and Air Nippon Network.

  Action taken

  The three airlines were merged on October 1, 2010, and the resulting operation was rebranded as ANA Wings.

  Aftermath

  Air Next ceased to exist as a separate airline and brand, while its regional operating function continued within ANA Wings.

  Source

1. 1Air Nexten.wikipedia.org
2. 2ANA Wingsen.wikipedia.org