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China Gives Green Light to ANA’s Acquisition of Nippon Cargo Airlines With Conditions

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Japanese aviation giant ANA Holdings Inc. has finally received approval from China’s competition regulator to acquire Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), following a series of delays in the process. However, this green light comes with binding conditions aimed at safeguarding fair competition in the strategically important air cargo market between China and Japan.

Conditional Approval from China

The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on Tuesday its decision to approve the deal, subject to specific requirements. Chief among them is the stipulation that ANA, NCA, and the merged entity must maintain existing ground handling agreements for cargo operations at Narita (Tokyo) and Kansai (Osaka) airports. These conditions are intended to ensure the smooth flow of bilateral trade and preserve the stability of industrial supply chains in the region.

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A Long-Awaited Acquisition

Although ANA announced its intent to acquire NCA back in 2023, the transaction has been postponed eight times, most recently just last Wednesday, due to regulatory approval delays. With China’s go-ahead now secured, ANA plans to finalize the purchase of NCA—currently owned by Nippon Yusen KK, Japan’s largest shipping company—on August 1.

ANA Strengthens Its Global Cargo Strategy

This strategic move further solidifies ANA’s position in the global air cargo market. After gaining the backing of Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) in January, China’s approval removes the final major hurdle to the merger. Integrating NCA—an essential player in freight transport—enhances ANA’s logistics capabilities at a time when the efficiency and resilience of regional supply chains have become critical.

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