Japan's ANA takes risk with superjumbo A380 on Hawaiian flights

Turtle-themed jets show how airline continues to outspend rival JAL

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An Airbus A380 for All Nippon Airways prepares to take off during a delivery ceremony near Toulouse, France.  © Reuters

BUMPEI MATSUKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- When All Nippon Airways debuted the world's largest passenger plane on its Tokyo-Honolulu route last May, stock analysts questioned whether enough demand existed to support the aircraft's capacity of over 500 seats.

But the Japanese airline has answered with plans to add another Airbus A380 emblazoned with a sea turtle to its fleet, continuing its contrarian expansion strategy despite the doubters. ANA Holdings said Thursday it will increase Hawaii-bound flights from the Tokyo-area Narita International Airport to 14 a week from 10.

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