Move accelerates mid-size carrier consolidation after government lifts restrictions All Nippon Airways aircraft are pictured in Tokyo on Sept. 7. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura) TOKYO -- Major Japanese aviation group ANA Holdings announced on Thursday that it will acquire a company that owns regional airlines in Japan. The operator of All Nippon Airways aims to rebuild domestic flight competitiveness as it faces tough sales conditions due to population decline in Japan, weakening demand and soaring fuel costs.