All Nippon Airways Co. said Wednesday it will promote its international flights as the "pillar" of its growth in fiscal 2010 by capitalizing on the "biggest business opportunity" to be created by the expansion of two core airports in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

But the plan calls for closing or cutting back on operations on unprofitable routes, including between Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture and Seoul's Gimpo airport, to reduce costs and improve profitability.

Announcing its business plan for the year that begins April 1, ANA said it will start seven weekly round-trip flights between Narita airport and Munich on July 1 by taking advantage of an increase in landing and departure slots at the Chiba Prefecture airport from March 28.