All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced a 78 percent increase in half-year profits. This outstanding achievement is due to the expansion of one of Tokyo's airports which has led to a marked improvement in ANA's international business service. The airline earned 35,77 billion yen compared to a profit of 20,07 billion in the first half of 2013. In the April-September period, sales rose 9,1% to 854,82 billion.
ANA has expanded its international services following the modernization of Haneda Airport, which is much closer to the Japanese capital than rival Narita Airport. Haneda's upgrade has led to an increase in international flights with services to major capital cities around the world, including London, Paris and Jakarta, and hub cities such as Munich. The airline also said that more flexible pricing has boosted sales in the domestic sector as well.
ANA and rival Japan Airlines (JAL) are ramping up Boeing Dreamliner use to keep fuel costs down, even though technical problems with the aircraft forced the two airlines to leave the model in hangars for a few months last year.
