Japan’s All Nippon Airways expects the airline operating environment to be at its worst in the year from this April to March 2010 and has drawn up a survival plan that includes the introduction of a new service product on its long-haul routes.
The airline is also pinning its hopes on a speedy recovery, declaring that 2010-13 will be a period of rapid growth and reiterating its faith in the Boeing 787. ANA will be the launch operator of the much delayed twinjet: it plans to receive the first aircraft 12 months from now and will push for accelerated deliveries with the aim of having around 20 in service by the end of fiscal 2011. “The efficiency, environmental performance and customer product benefits offered by the 787 will help us to gain a competitive lead,” says the airline.
The 2009 emergency plan will see ANA laying further emphasis on product and brand strategy. “We will introduce a new cabin product on long-haul international routes to increase the quality of our lineup and customer satisfaction,” the airline says.
Other elements of the plan include an overhaul of the airline’s network, with the aim of preparing for expansion of at Tokyo Haneda and Narita in 2010; capacity cuts to reduce variable fleet operating costs; and reductions in administrative costs, staff wages and capital investment.
ANA hopes these measures will leave it in a position next year to resume its push to become one of Asia’s leading carriers, using the expansion of the Tokyo airports as a springboard. It intends to use the extra slots at Haneda and Narita airports to increase capacity to Europe and North America in particular, and to deepen its co-operation with other airlines.
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
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