All Nippon Airways (ANA) has returned to profitability for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic following an increase in passenger demand and relaxed travel rules across the domestic and international market. 

In Q1 2022, ANA reported a net profit of 1 billion yen (US$7.5 million), an increase compared to a hefty net loss of 51.1 billion yen (US$387 million). The airline posted an operating loss of 1.3 billion yen (US$9.9 million) due to “continued global pandemic impact”. This compares to an operating loss of 64.4 billion yen (US$488 million) in the first quarter of 2021. 

“We are pleased to see the results of the first quarter with the increased passenger demand for domestic and international travel, and increased revenue in all of our business segments," said Kimihiro Nakahori, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer at ANA.

The airline added that domestic passenger traffic had doubled, resulting in a quarterly high, the first recorded since the beginning of global pandemic. In Q1 2022, ANA carried a total of 6.5 million passengers. 

Meanwhile, the international passenger load factor rose to 70.7%, close to pre-pandemic levels. This was made possible by demand resulting from eased entry restrictions in various countries. 

“With no State of Emergency or quasi-emergency measures in place during the first quarter for the first time in three years, leisure demand improved steadily, while business travel gradually increased as well,” the airline outlined in a statement. 

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