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World’s First: ANAHD and JAXA have jointly developed automated atmospheric composition monitoring devices installed in the cabin of scheduled ANA flights.
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Enhanced Precision: The method provides more detailed atmospheric data than conventional satellite observations, leveraging ANA’s domestic flight network for comprehensive coverage across Japan.
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Future Expansion: ANAHD and JAXA will expand aircraft observation capabilities, develop data utilization services and provide scientific evidence to support our greenhouse gas mitigation efforts.
TOKYO, Dec. 16, 2025 – ANA HOLDINGS INC. (hereinafter “ANAHD”) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (hereinafter “JAXA”) have launched the world’s first automated system for atmospheric composition monitoring demonstration on scheduled commercial flights. The new initiative utilizes advanced satellite remote sensing technology adapted for airborne deployment.
Building on collaborative research since September 2020, ANAHD and JAXA have focused on gathering crucial data on atmospheric composition from aircraft cabins*1, particularly in urban areas. The project adapts the sophisticated atmospheric observation technology from JAXA’s “IBUKI” (GOSAT)*2, the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite, launched in 2009. This is because it is estimated that urban areas account for 70 to 80% of total anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, the initiative provides granular data to support the examination of urban emission reduction and the assessment of their effectiveness, and significantly contributes to the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Figure 1
Conceptual diagram of atmospheric composition monitoring on scheduled commercial flights and satellites
A major advancement in the joint research is the automation of the observation process. Previously, JAXA-developed equipment required manual setup for each test flight*3. Now, the system has been seamlessly integrated into a modified section of an ANA Boeing 737 cabin, enabling permanent, continuous operation. The newly developed onboard technology effectively combines wide-area satellite observation with high-frequency, high-resolution aircraft data to create a more accurate and robust monitoring network (shown in Figure 1).
The milestone marks the world’s first successful implementation of an automated atmospheric composition monitoring system on scheduled commercial flights utilizing satellite remote sensing technology.
Through this joint research, ANAHD and JAXA will contribute to creating social value toward the realization of a decarbonized society and new economic opportunities for the aviation industry. The partners will aim to expand the variety of observed data sets, building data utilization businesses tailored to the needs of international organizations, governments, private companies and local municipalities, with the goal of delivering scientific evidence for effective greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
Looking ahead, research and development will extend beyond atmospheric observation by leveraging both space and aviation platforms*4 to help solve global social issues, including pressing environmental challenges.
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*1 This initiative is promoted as the “GOBLEU Project” (Greenhouse gas Observations of Biospheric and Local Emissions from the Upper sky). See the following URLs for details (Figure 2 shows the mission logo).
(https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/GOSAT/ANAexp/index_e.html
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(https://www.satnavi.jaxa.jp/en/news/2024/10/03/9829/index.html) -
*2 GOSAT (IBUKI): A satellite developed by JAXA, the Ministry of the Environment and the National Institute for Environmental Studies, measures CO2 and methane from space. Its successors, GOSAT-2 (launched Oct 2018) and GOSAT-GW (launched June 2025), continue this mission (https://www.satnavi.jaxa.jp/files/project/gosat-gw/en/). It uses remote sensing to measure light absorption intensity based on atmospheric concentrations.
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*3 Reference Paper: Suto et al., 2025: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13021-024-00273-1
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*4 ANAHD and JAXA developed technology to simultaneously collect GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data and other auxiliary information to improve observation accuracy.
Figure 2: GOBLEU Project Mission Logo
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Contact: ANA Corporate Communications, TEL +81-3-6735-1111, publicrelations@ana.co.jp
About ANA HOLDINGS
ANAHD was established in 2013 as the largest airline group holding company in Japan, comprising 72 companies. It offers three distinct airline brands: ANA, Peach, the leading LCC in Japan, and AirJapan, launched in 2024 for international routes covering Asia.
ANA’s legacy of superior service has earned SKYTRAX’s 5-Star rating every year since 2013, making it the only Japanese airline to win this prestigious designation for 13 consecutive years.
In 2025, ANA was honored with FlightGlobal’s Executive Leadership: Asia-Pacific Award for its visionary leadership and strategic growth.
ANA is also a four-time recipient of the ATW Airline of the Year award, recognized for excellence in aviation.
ANAHD has been selected as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index list for eight consecutive years and the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index list for nine consecutive years.
For more information about ANA and ANA HD, please visit: https://www.ana.co.jp/group/en/
About JAXA
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was born through the merger of three institutions, namely the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). It was designated as a core performance agency to support the Japanese government’s overall aerospace development and utilization. JAXA, therefore, can conduct integrated operations from basic research and development, to utilization.
In 2013, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of its founding, JAXA created the corporate slogan, “Explore to Realize,” which reflects its management philosophy of utilizing space and the sky to achieve a safe and affluent society.
