All Nippon Airways Transforms Digital Infrastructure with Equinix Fabric

In a groundbreaking move, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's premier airline, has recently announced a significant upgrade to its digital infrastructure by integrating Equinix Fabric®. This transformation is designed to prepare ANA for a future where data volumes are expected to surge tenfold. The new centralized cloud network hub enables the airline to reduce network provisioning time from months to weeks—an impressive 80% decrease.

This modernization initiative primarily aims to enhance passenger services, covering vital areas such as reservations, boarding procedures, customer communications, and operational systems. With this foundational shift, ANA is set to not only streamline its internal processes but also improve the customer journey at every stage.

A Shift Towards the Future

The aviation sector is amidst a paradigm shift towards hybrid multicloud environments, necessitating greater agility and scalability in connectivity. ANA's decision to deploy Equinix Fabric exemplifies this transformation. This innovative software-defined platform allows for rapid connectivity deployment, providing the necessary flexibility to adapt to the fast-evolving demands of the airline industry. Moreover, the integration is in line with ANA’s objective to reduce its total cost of ownership by 30% over five years.

Jun Nakazato, Manager of IT Infrastructure at ANA, highlights the need for unprecedented flexibility in the airline's network to accommodate rapid business expansion. By embracing network-as-a-service with Equinix, ANA is not treating Equinix merely as a vendor but has established a vital strategic partnership that supports the airline’s digital modernization efforts.

Resilient Digital Foundation

ANA operates a fleet of approximately 280 aircraft servicing over 200 domestic and international routes. The backbone of this operation is its robust digital infrastructure, which is crucial for delivering mission-critical services to passengers. As ANA expands its business portfolio and embraces hybrid and multicloud environments, the pressure to integrate more sophisticated systems grows.

With its traditional network architectures relying heavily on dedicated circuits for individual systems, the expenses and complexity associated with scaling up became an unbearable burden. To counter these challenges, the introduction of a centralized cloud network hub powered by Equinix Fabric represents a significant shift in network design. By focusing on a software-defined interconnection platform, ANA can now achieve secure, on-demand access to renowned cloud systems like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud with far less physical circuit dependency.

This centralized approach truly redefines ANA's network infrastructure, transforming it from a cumbersome, traditionally provisioned system into a cutting-edge, agile platform that can swiftly adapt to changing business needs. Faster provisioning of resources and seamless interconnectivity across cloud environments will enhance the airline's ability to provide integrated customer services and deliver real-time operational coordination—marking an important progression in ANA’s passenger service modernization strategy.

Supporting Future Growth

The benefits of this agile architecture extend far beyond basic connectivity. The new system will provide ANA with a resilient foundation capable of harnessing advanced analytics, automating processes, and accommodating emerging artificial intelligence workloads. According to Kuniko Ogawa, Managing Director for Japan at Equinix, this deployment clearly illustrates the potential of evolving infrastructure consumption. Equinix emphasizes the improvement of existing resilient physical infrastructures, adding intelligence and flexibility.

As ANA continues to innovate and redefine what excellence in travel looks like, its partnership with Equinix is sure to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of passenger experiences. With a commitment to quality and a consistent focus on innovation, ANA is well-positioned to lead the aviation industry into the next era of travel.

For more information on All Nippon Airways and their innovative efforts, feel free to visit their official website.

About All Nippon Airways (ANA): Founded in 1952, ANA has evolved into Japan's largest airline, known for its premium service and resilience in a competitive market. As part of ANA HOLDINGS Inc., the airline continues to prioritize the enhancement of travel experiences while being the only Japanese airline to have consistently earned SKYTRAX's 5-Star rating since 2013.

About Equinix: Equinix, Inc., listed on Nasdaq under EQIX, is recognized for revolutionizing global connectivity and delivering cutting-edge digital infrastructure solutions aimed at enhancing efficiency, speed, and innovation across industries.