Japan’s largest airline forays into blockchain, unveils aeronautical-themed NFT marketplace

As NFTs have witnessed an astronomical rise in their popularity, several artists, sportsmen, and movie stars have all flocked to the NFT ( non-fungible token) market to buy pictures of apes, endorse corporate partners or even launch their own art collections. The latest to join the bandwagon is Japan’s largest airline, All Nippon Airways, also known as ANA.

On 30 May, the airline announced the launch of an aeronautical-themed NFT marketplace with its subsidiary ANA Neo. Titled, ‘ANA GranWhale NFT Marketplace,' the platform will showcase a total of 267 items for sale, including an inaugural collection created by Luke Ozawa, a renowned aerial photographer Luke Ozawa. Further, the initial digital photograph captured by Luke was transformed into NFT, state developers and the price of each of Ozawa's NFTs is ¥100,000 ($717).

Further, the second collection of NFTs is scheduled to be released on 7 June, which represents the first Boeing 787 that was operated by ANA, but in image form.

Moreover, the airline states that in the future, it intends to increase the NFT product line and aims to enhance the value of the customer experience through NFT commercialisation.

In the words of Mitsuo Tomita, ANA NEO’s President, “As part of the first airline group to launch an NFT marketplace, we are excited to pioneer a new avenue to connect with our customers and enhance their experience. Through this initiative, we aim to unlock the potential of NFTs in the aviation industry, bringing together the digital and physical realms to create unique and memorable experiences that unite the world in wonder."

ANA, an embracer of new tech

Though ANA Group has become the first airline group to venture into the NFT sale, it is not the first time that the airline has embraced new technologies. In fact, beginning this year, the airline expressed its plans about operating air taxi services during Expo 2025 in Osaka, where ANA will work along with Joby Aviation, a startup, to deliver the said service.