OREANDA-NEWS. AirAsia Japan Co., ANA Holdings Inc.'s wholly owned unit, said Tuesday it will change its name to Vanilla Air, effective Nov. 1. The decision follows the dissolution of the joint venture between ANA Holdings and AirAsia Bhd.

The Japanese budget airline will focus more on overseas tourist destinations, such as Guam and Hawaii, after it completes its final AirAsia flights, which are scheduled for Oct. 26. The company will begin flights as Vanilla Air in late December.

AirAsia Japan President Tomonori Ishii said the company will focus more on international flights, which are higher priced, have longer flight hours and higher aircraft utilization rates. Ishii added that the aircraft utilization rate will rise even if flights are based at Tokyo's Narita airport, where landing and takeoff times are limited.