Here are some of ANA's efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its aircraft flight operations.

For flight operations, each aircraft is loaded with a specified amount of water for onboard lavatories and other in-flight purposes.
Staff at the Delhi Airport noticed that a certain amount of water consistently remained on board aircraft arriving from Japan. They then conducted a verification process over a set period to measure the amount of water remaining on arriving flights and collect data. The data confirmed that reducing the amount of water loaded onto aircraft would not affect flight operations or in-flight service.

The staff at Delhi Airport reported the latest verification data on water usage to the relevant division in Japan and proposed revisiting the standard amount of water to be loaded. The division's personnel responsible for setting the standard reviewed the proposal and revised the amount.
This initiative enables a reduction of 30 gallons (approximately 113 liters) of water loaded per one-way flight from Delhi to Haneda. In addition, reducing water loading can cut annual CO₂ emissions*1 by approximately 20 tons.

As of June 2026, ANA operates two routes between Tokyo and India: the Haneda–Delhi route and the Narita–Mumbai route*2. These two routes have similar flight times and are designed to use the same amount of water. We therefore looked into the possibility of applying the water reduction initiative implemented on the Delhi route to the Mumbai route as well. As a result, water loading can now be reduced on both routes.

We interviewed staff members about the thinking behind the initiative.

Mr. Kawai

There was an incident at Delhi Airport in which we could not load water onto an aircraft due to a malfunction in an aircraft system related to water supply. Unable to supply water to the tank, we tried to use bottled water to provide the required amount for the flight. However, we could not prepare such a large amount at short notice and struggled to figure out how to handle the situation. In the end, the malfunction that had prevented us from loading water was resolved, and the situation was brought under control without further incident. This experience led me to think about what we could do if a similar situation or malfunction occurred. If the standard amount of water is set too high, we cannot immediately prepare the necessary amount in an emergency. However, if the standard is appropriate, we would be able to secure the required water. I also wanted to establish a standard for how much water would be needed to operate a flight if a similar malfunction occurs. Our analysis of daily operational data showed that the amount could be much lower, and adopting that amount as the new standard would also allow us to reduce the amount of fuel to be loaded and the aircraft's overall weight, thereby helping reduce the environmental impact.

Mr. Singh

Sometimes a small change makes a great impact on the handling. I should keep sharing and discussing the new ideas with our team members. I believe a problem solving mindset makes things easier for everyone and always helps to support the organization in achieving its set targets.

Mr. Kawai

I make it a point to maintain an objective view of the current situation at all times, and to stay alert to changes and consider their potential impact. Safety, the environment, cost, and comfort are also important, as is creating an atmosphere where anyone can provide feedback without hesitation. Therefore, I always strive to build a workplace where staff members can freely express their views, and where those receiving feedback can respond flexibly.
Going forward, all staff members at ANA Delhi Airport will continue to work together as one team to drive transformation, while keeping safety as the top priority, minimizing the impact on customers, and remaining mindful of the environmental impact.