Celebrating A Decade of Service in Malaysia
Reflecting on 10 years of growth, community partnership and
the unwavering spirit of the ANA Kuala Lumpur team.
This installment of “A New Chapter of Flight” heads to Malaysia, where All Nippon Airways (ANA) is celebrating a decade of service between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo.
The airline launched daily service from Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) on Sept. 1, 2015. The following year, service expanded with an additional flight connecting Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) and KUL, establishing the two daily connections that continue to link the capitals today.
While this month marks 10 years of continuous daily flights, ANA's history in Malaysia dates back further. The airline operated flights from Osaka via Bangkok in 1995 and briefly flew a Narita-Kuala Lumpur route in 2001.
To commemorate the milestone, students at Nippon Designers School Malaysia College created illustrations of ANA staff. Winning designs, chosen through a vote on ANA's social media channels, were featured on life-size cutouts and given as special gifts for passengers departing from KUL.
We spoke with Akira Tamura, ANA's general manager at KUL, to discuss ANA's operations in Malaysia. Prior to joining the ANA KUL team in April, Tamura’s career with ANA included roles in Japan domestic operations, agency sales and cargo.
What makes Kuala Lumpur unique compared to other gateways?
Malaysia is a blend of nature and culture, offering a diverse range of attractions. Kuala Lumpur features modern urban landscapes, while cities like Malacca and Penang are known for their beautiful historical sites and diverse natural landscapes.
The country has also seen significant economic growth, particularly in the semiconductor, manufacturing and IT sectors. It is also becoming a popular destination for international students and medical tourism.
How would you describe the ANA KUL Team?
Cheerful, kind and friendly. The team is very respectful of one another, and I make it a point to consider each team member’s opinions and values. Our team members work diligently and with a sense of urgency.
I believe that building a strong team starts with simple gestures. Greeting everyone with a cheerful “good morning” at the start of a shift and “thank you for your hard work” at the end of each day is essential.
Is there a specific moment with a passenger that stands out to you?
A frantic passenger arrived at the check-in counter just before the flight closed, realizing they had misplaced their passport.
The supervisor on duty comforted the passenger, reassuring them and helping them retrace their steps. After a thorough search, the passport was found under a table at an airport restaurant where the passenger had eaten.
With the assistance of our staff, the passenger was able to make their flight. I was extremely proud of our team for remaining calm and friendly, ensuring the passenger felt at ease throughout a stressful situation.
Any final messages to share?
We are incredibly honored to celebrate a decade of connecting Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. We would like to thank all our customers and partners for their support, and our KUL team, who overcame many challenges over the past 10 years.
As ties between Malaysia and Japan deepen, ANA will continue to serve as a bridge between the two countries. In an ever-changing world, we will continue to listen to our customers and strive to provide the highest quality of service.
As we look towards the next 10 years and beyond, the ANA KUL team will continue to take on new challenges together. We look forward to welcoming you aboard soon!