The parent company of Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways is aiming to boost its influence in Southeast Asia with strategic joint ventures or purchasing stakes in other Asian airlines.
Chief executive Shinya Katanozaka said ANA is pursuing a possible investment in Vietnam Airlines, and may boost shareholdings in Garuda Indonesia and Philippine Airlines.
"We are approaching a number of Asian airlines," Katanozaka said, while declining to indentify which additional airlines it may partner with in a joint venture.
Myanmar is still on ANA’s radar after pulling out of a planned 49% stake in Asian Wings Airways, due to fears the local market was overheating.
"We are trying to find another partner in Myanmar," Katanozaka said.
He also said the company’s Vanilla Air low cost unit would become profitable by the end of the financial year while the main business is projected to generate 52 billion yen ($420 million) in profit.
