ANA Holding’s acquisition of freighter operator Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) from the NYK Group has been delayed once again, with the new completion date set for 23 May, pending regulatory approval. Originally slated for 1 May, the deal has now been pushed back due to ongoing delays in the approval process.
In a statement, ANA explained the delay, saying: “Taking into consideration the time required for the relevant authorities in China and other regions to complete the review of the business combination, the company has decided to revise the effective date of the share exchange.”
The takeover process has faced multiple delays since it was first announced in March 2023. ANA initially planned to finalize the purchase of the Boeing 747-8 freighter operator on 1 October 2023, but regulatory hurdles have continuously extended the timeline.
Nippon Cargo Airlines, which operates a fleet of eight Boeing 747-8 freighters and five 747-400 freighters operated by ASL and Atlas Air, is currently owned by the NYK Group. The shipping giant made the decision to sell NCA to ANA due to the ongoing operational costs associated with running the cargo airline.
ANA’s purchase of NCA is expected to significantly strengthen its international air cargo network, enhancing its services based in Japan. ANA itself operates six Boeing 767 freighters and two Boeing 777 freighters. However, it is understood that NCA will continue to operate under its own separate certificate, distinct from ANA’s operations, once the deal is finalized.
