The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee welcomed All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (ANA) and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) as the first Tokyo 2020 Official Partners, the second domestic tier of Tokyo 2020 Sponsorship Programme.

The two companies have been jointly attributed the category “Passenger air transportation services.” Their addition brings the total number of Tokyo 2020 Partners to 15, including 13 Gold Partners.

“We believe that sport provides people with dreams, hope and encouragement,” Osamu Shinobe, President and CEO of ANA. “It also contributes to world peace, and this is the reason we have been enthusiastically supporting various athletes and sport committees. Our corporate mission statement is, ‘Help to fulfill the hopes and dreams of an interconnected world.’ This is in full alignment with the three core concepts of Tokyo 2020’s Games’ Vision, ‘Achieving Personal Best,’ ‘Unity in Diversity’ and ‘Connecting to Tomorrow.’”

“ANA plays an important role in the field of air transportation as part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and we will strive to maintain the strong foundation of security and trust that we have established over the years,” Shinobe said. “We will include all employees and senior management personnel as members of our Team ANA. Together, our team will work towards achieving the aims of our mission by expanding our network and improving the quality of our services, not just as a means of transportation for Japan's national Olympic and Paralympic teams but also as a gateway to Japan.”

Yoshiharu Ueki, Representative Director and President of JAL, added: “As an Official Partner of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we will use our experience to the maximum to support them and promote the advancement of sports through activities to develop and provide backup to young athletes.”

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics will be held 25 August to 6 September 2020, featuring 22 sports.