ANA Restarts Tokyo-Milan Flights After 14 Years
All Nippon Airways Resumes Direct Tokyo to Milan Flights After 14-Year Hiatus
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, has officially resumed direct flights between Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), marking a significant return after a 14-year break. This long-awaited service revival not only strengthens travel ties between Japan and Italy but also opens new opportunities for business and tourism.
The inaugural flight took off on December 3, 2023, and was celebrated with a special ceremony in Milan. This milestone is expected to enhance connectivity and facilitate increased travel options between these two vibrant cities.
ANA Tokyo to Milan Flights: Key Details
On December 3, the inaugural flight NH207 departed Haneda at 1:23 AM, carrying 203 passengers and 12 crew members aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The aircraft is configured with 48 Business, 21 Premium Economy, and 146 Economy seats. It successfully landed in Milan at 7:51 AM local time.
- Return Flight: Flight NH208 departed Milan at 11:29 AM the same day, with 182 passengers onboard. Despite minor delays due to baggage checks, the flight operations were efficient.
Celebratory Launch at Milan Malpensa
The resumption of the Tokyo-Milan service was marked by a ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting ceremony at Milan Malpensa Airport. Key figures, including ANA President Shinichi Inoue and SEA Milan Airports COO Luigi Battuello, attended the event. Battuello highlighted the significance of this route, noting that Asian flights now comprise 27% of the airport’s long-haul traffic.
Strategic Importance and Cargo Opportunities
The Tokyo-Milan flights will operate three times a week—Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—making it a crucial link for both business and leisure travelers. Tokyo Haneda’s central location offers convenient access to ANA’s extensive domestic network, connecting passengers to other major cities like Osaka and Sapporo.
Additionally, ANA’s collaboration with ITA Airways and Trenitalia provides enhanced connectivity, allowing travelers access to 76 cities across 34 countries. This route also presents significant cargo opportunities, as Italy is Japan’s second-largest export cargo market in Europe.
- Key Exports: Japan exports semiconductors and automobile parts, while Italy imports products like leather goods, pharmaceuticals, and marble, creating a robust demand for cargo transport on this route.
Future Expansion Plans for ANA
The flight resumption is part of ANA’s broader strategy to expand its European operations. The airline plans to launch new routes to Stockholm (ARN) on January 31, 2025, and Istanbul (IST) on February 12, 2025, increasing its total European operations to 49 weekly round trips across nine cities.
As ANA continues to enhance its international presence, the revival of the Tokyo-Milan route serves as a testament to the growing demand for air travel and cargo services between Japan and Europe.
For more information on travel options and updates, be sure to check back for related articles. We invite you to share your thoughts on this exciting development in air travel!
