ANA Holdings Orders Eight Additional Embraer E190-E2 Regional Jets

Regional domestic travel in Japan is undergoing a major modernization, with ANA orders Embraer E190-E2 regional jets replacing aging regional aircraft to secure secondary destination links.

[Tokyo, July 30, 2026] — A major transition in regional connectivity is taking place in Japan as carriers restructure operations to manage operating costs and capacity. The board of ANA Holdings approved a firm order on July 29, 2026, for eight additional Embraer E190-E2 regional passenger jets. According to reports from ch-aviation, the newly ordered aircraft will support a revised operational partnership with IBEX Airlines, starting in fiscal year 2029.

Under the new operational structure, the fuel-efficient Embraer E190-E2 jets will replace IBEX Airlines' aging fleet of CRJ700 regional aircraft. The fleet transition will introduce quieter cabins, lower emissions, and optimized passenger capacity across selected domestic routes.

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Reorganizing Fleet Portfolios and Operating Roles

The July 29 board decision expands on a previous aircraft commitment made by ANA Holdings. On February 25, 2025, the aviation group announced an initial order for 20 E190-E2 jets, consisting of 15 firm orders and five options. Following this latest agreement, ANA's total firm commitments for the Embraer E2 program have increased to 23 aircraft, while the five separate options remain available for future fleet planning.

The new operating agreement introduces a coordinated division of labor between All Nippon Airways (ANA) and IBEX Airlines:

• Commercial Management: ANA will handle route planning, scheduling, capacity management, and all ticket sales.
• Flight Operations: Selected routes will be operated directly by IBEX Airlines flight crews.
• Outsourced Maintenance: IBEX Airlines will outsource the technical maintenance management of the common E190-E2 fleet to ANA's engineering divisions.

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Phase-Out of the Mitsubishi CRJ700 Fleet

The introduction of the Embraer E190-E2 will mark the end of the CRJ700 era for IBEX Airlines. The retirement of the older regional jets is scheduled to begin in 2029, aligning with the commercial launch of the new operating partnership. The transition will be carried out in phases to allow flight crews to transition licenses and to adapt ground facilities to the new aircraft platform.

Unlike the smaller CRJ700, the E190-E2 belongs to the 100-seat-class segment, offering a wider cabin diameter. The aircraft features a two-by-two seating configuration, ensuring that passengers avoid the unpopular middle seat. The E2 is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1900G geared turbofan engines, reducing airport noise footprints and fuel consumption.

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Data Table

The tables below outline the regional fleet changes and order history:

ANA Holdings Embraer E190-E2 Fleet Order History and Status (2026)

Agreement Date	Firm Orders Added	Options Added	Cumulative Firm Orders	Aircraft Class / Seat Segment
February 25, 2025	15 aircraft	5 options	15 firm orders	100-seat-class regional jet
July 29, 2026	8 aircraft	0 options	23 firm orders	Pratt & Whitney PW1900G power
Current Totals	23 firm orders	5 options	23 firm orders	Fleet delivery starting FY2029

Embraer E190-E2 vs. CRJ700 Regional Fleet Transition Parameters

Fleet Parameter	Incoming Embraer E190-E2	Retiring Mitsubishi CRJ700	Primary Passenger Impact
Seating Configuration	2-by-2 seating (no middle seat)	2-by-2 seating (no middle seat)	Wider aisle and larger seat width
Overhead Bin Space	Large pivoting bins	Small bin shelving	Accommodates standard roll-aboard bags
Engine Technology	Pratt & Whitney PW1900G	General Electric CF34-8C5	Significant reduction in cabin noise
Fiscal Launch Target	Fiscal Year 2029	Phase-out starting 2029	Gradual route transition
Maintenance Lead	ANA Engineering	IBEX In-house Maintenance	Standardized fleet reliability

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Traveler Logistics Guide

From a ground-level perspective, the best way to navigate this is to confirm the operating carrier designation when booking domestic connections under an NH (ANA) flight number. While tickets will be sold and managed through ANA's digital channels, the actual aircraft boarding, security announcements, and inflight services on these routes will be carried out by IBEX Airlines personnel.

Connection and Baggage Transfer Advice

When transiting through major hubs like Tokyo Haneda (HND), Tokyo Narita (NRT), or Osaka Itami (ITM), passengers should allow a minimum of 75 minutes for domestic-to-domestic transfers. This buffer is especially helpful during high-season travel periods when security lanes are congested.

• Luggage Interlining: Baggage checked on international flights will transfer automatically to the domestic sector, provided the ticket is issued under a single booking reference.
• Boarding Gate Access: Embraer E190-E2 flights at regional airports may use tarmac boarding stairs instead of jet bridges, so passengers carrying hand luggage should ensure that bags meet regional carry-on dimensions to avoid gate-checking.

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Infrastructure Impact Assessment

The fleet transition aligns directly with regulatory policy directives. On May 29, 2026, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) released an expert report recommending managed outsourcing partnerships as a practical method to protect the domestic aviation network. By sharing maintenance resources and fleet assets, regional operators can maintain flight frequencies to secondary cities that cannot support larger mainline aircraft.

This fleet modernization ensures that remote destinations, cultural sites, and seasonal tourism areas remain accessible. By introducing a modern regional jet with lower operating costs, ANA and IBEX can maintain thin routes that would otherwise face cancellation during periods of high jet fuel volatility.

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Why This Matters

For travelers, the real impact is the preservation of domestic connections without the risk of sudden route cancellations. When regional airlines operate aging, high-maintenance aircraft, rising fuel costs often force them to cut frequencies to secondary cities. The lower fuel burn of the E190-E2 helps the partnership maintain daily services to provincial business and tourism destinations, protecting the traveler's itinerary.

From a logistical perspective, this means that international visitors connecting to regional spots will experience a more comfortable journey. The larger overhead bins and quieter engines of the E190-E2 eliminate the tight spacing and noise issues of older regional jets.

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Industry Outlook

Our analysis indicates that regional carriers will continue to adopt capacity-purchase agreements with mainline groups to survive high operating costs. Managing individual maintenance systems for small fleets is no longer financially viable, making shared engineering resources essential.

Furthermore, market trends suggest that operators will prioritize right-sized aircraft to adapt to seasonal demand shifts. The flexibility of a 100-seat regional jet allows airlines to adjust capacity to match peak travel periods without incurring the financial risk of empty seats on larger narrow-body mainline aircraft.

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