ANA and IBEX Airlines reach agreement for comprehensive business partnership, ANA orders more E2 jets

All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced it has reached an agreement with IBEX Airlines (IBEX) on a comprehensive business partnership regarding ACMI Agreements for ANA flights. ANA has also placed an additional order for Embraer E190-E2 aircraft to support the ACMI agreements for ANA flights.

Both airlines will expand their current code share agreement, and will start further cooperation that includes the outsourcing and contracting of flight operations management between the two airlines. IBEX and ANA will develop existing codeshare arrangement and launch joint operations under an ACMI agreement in FY2029.

An ACMI agreement (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) is a wet-lease arrangement where the aircraft lessor provides both the staff and insurance for the aircraft. Ticketing and flight schedules are handled by the lessee.

With the aim to build a sustainable regional aviation network, ANA and IBEX, ANA will act as the marketing carrier handling route planning and sales under the agreement. IBEX will act as the operating carrier, responsible for flight operations. Routes and flight operations under the agreement are being discussed and will be announced later.

The agreement aims to effectively utilize the resources of both companies to maintain the regional routes and improve operational efficiency. Embraer E190-E2 aircraft are to be used as the operational fleet. IBEX will outsource the maintenance operations to ANA.

Additional E190-E2s

To support its ACMI agreements for ANA flights, ANA Holdings ordered an additional 8 E190-E2 (E2) aircraft from Embraer.

The additional 8 E2s will follow a previous order for 20 of the aircraft (15 firm and 5 options) placed on February 25, 2025. The original batch of ordered aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in FY2028.

"This additional E190-E2 order accelerates our efforts to build a sustainable regional aviation network in Japan," said Koji Shibata, President and CEO of ANA Holdings. "We are excited to deepen our partnership, elevating regional connectivity and delivering a superior passenger experience across Japan."

ANA will be the first airline to introduce the E190-E2s in Japan.