AviationNews – Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has placed a firm order for eight additional Embraer E190-E2 regional jets to strengthen its domestic network across Japan. The strategic acquisition expands an existing aircraft placement and wet-lease agreement to flexibly balance passenger supply and demand on domestic routes.
The board of directors at parent company ANA Holdings approved the eight-aircraft expansion on July 29, 2026, adding to its initial February 2025 order of 15 firm aircraft and five purchase options. This brings the company’s total firm commitment to 23 Embraer E190-E2 jets. Under an extended ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) framework, regional operator IBEX Airlines will deploy these 100-seat twin-jets on ANA‘s domestic route network to progressively replace its aging fleet of Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft starting in 2029. The decision fills a crucial regional fleet role following the cancellation of the domestic Mitsubishi SpaceJet program.
From an operational standpoint, the modern Embraer E190-E2 incorporates advanced aerodynamics and high-bypass turbofan engines that deliver double-digit reductions in fuel consumption and noise emissions compared to previous-generation regional aircraft. The wet-lease arrangement allows ANA to maintain full control over commercial scheduling, pricing, route planning, and ticketing while leveraging IBEX Airlines for flight operations and crew staffing. This hybrid operational model addresses pilot shortages in regional aviation while granting ANA flexible capacity to optimize frequency on feeder routes into major hubs like Tokyo and Osaka.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the fleet expansion, Koji Shibata, President and CEO of ANA Holdings, emphasized the environmental and connectivity gains of the decision: “This additional E190-E2 order accelerates our efforts to build a sustainable regional aviation network in Japan,” Shibata stated, adding that the expanded partnership elevates regional connectivity while delivering a superior passenger experience across the country.
Looking ahead, deliveries of the Embraer E190-E2 fleet are scheduled to begin in 2028 and extend through fiscal year 2032. The fleet modernization aligns with ANA‘s broader corporate objective to ensure that over 90 percent of its operating fleet consists of fuel-efficient, new-generation aircraft by 2030. Regional travelers and industry partners can monitor updated flight schedules and route deployment announcements directly through All Nippon Airways‘ official booking channels as delivery timelines approach.
The strategic rollout of the Embraer E190-E2 secures a sustainable foundation for Japan’s regional skyways while lowering operational carbon footprints. By coupling direct aircraft ownership with a specialized ACMI operating partner, ANA establishes a versatile blueprint for domestic capacity management. This modernized fleet will ensure reliable regional connectivity and enhanced passenger comfort across Japan well into the next decade.
