Skymark Airlines : BC : SKY :

Skymark Airlines Inc. (スカイマーク株式会社, Sukaimāku Kabushiki-gaisha^{[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]}) is an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] headquartered at [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (Haneda) in [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien],^{[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]} operating scheduled passenger services on Japan's regional routes and international charter flights to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

Skymark Airlines was established in 1996 and started operations on 19 September 1998, as an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] domestic airline following [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] of the Japanese airline market. The major shareholders are [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (35.47%), President of the company, and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] travel agency (27.62%). The airline has 821 employees.
Aside of its Haneda hub, Skymark focusses on [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], which is planned to be developed into a regional hub until 2014.

Japon: Skymark Airlines commande 6 Airbus A380, dont 2 options

TOKYO — La compagnie aérienne japonaise Skymark Airlines a annoncé lundi une commande de six avions Airbus A380, dont deux options, marquant l'entrée de ce très gros porteur au Japon.
"Skymark et l'avionneur européen Airbus ont conclu un accord de principe portant sur l'acquisition d'A380", a indiqué la compagnie dans un communiqué.
Elle prévoit la mise en service de l'A380 à compter de 2014, avec l'intention de desservir "des lignes internationales importantes".
Skymark Airlines est une petite compagnie japonaise opérationnelle depuis 1998. Elle propose pour le moment des liaisons intérieures, en offrant des tarifs inférieurs à ceux des deux principaux transporteurs nippons, Japan Airlines (JAL) et All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Le contrat, d'une valeur estimée à près de 2 milliards d'euros au prix catalogue, doit être formellement signé au printemps, a précisé Skymark.
"Airbus Japan confirme cette annonce et s'en réjouit", a indiqué un porte-parole du groupe à Tokyo.
Cette commande inattendue intervient alors que l'avionneur européen tente depuis des années de vendre ses appareils au Japon, un marché monopolisé à plus de 95% par le groupe américain Boeing.
Pour le moment, ni JAL ni ANA n'ont commandé d'A380, leur stratégie actuelle consistant au contraire à tout mettre en oeuvre pour réduire la taille des avions de leur flotte.
L'A380 atterrit cependant déjà quotidiennement au Japon, sous les couleurs des compagnies Singapore Airlines, Air France et Lufthansa.
Lors d'un récent passage à Tokyo, le directeur du marketing de l'A380, Richard Carcaillet, a insisté sur le fait que ce très gros porteur était également adapté aux lignes intérieures à trafic très dense du Japon, en plus des liaisons internationales.
La ligne intérieure la plus fréquentée au monde est celle qui relie Tokyo à Sapporo (nord).
"La façon la plus intelligente de faire face à la saturation et de répondre à la croissance de la demande consiste à employer des avions plus gros, plus écologiques et plus silencieux", plaide Airbus.

Skymark Airlines signs MoU for four A380s


Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest and growing airline, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of four A380s, the most advanced, spacious and eco-efficient airliner in service today.

The aircraft will be operated on major international long-haul routes from Tokyo. Engine choice and cabin details will be revealed at a later stage.

Its excellent take-off and landing performance enables the A380 to operate on the shorter 2,500m-runways at Japan’s Narita and Tokyo Haneda airports carrying a full passenger payload and cargo to destinations in Europe, North America and Australia.

“By introducing the world’s most cost-efficient, modern and environmentally friendly aircraft in our fleet, we will offer the travelling public the best comfort in the sky and a new way of flying. With the A380’s spacious and extremely quiet cabin, we'll enter a new era in terms of economic air travel,” said Shinichi Nishikubo, President of Skymark Airlines.

“We are extremely happy and proud that Japan’s growing and ambitious airline Skymark Airlines has become the first Japanese airline to order the A380 and a new customer for us. This is a historic milestone for Airbus and a breakthrough in this important market. We are delighted to see Skymark Airlines sharing our vision of the A380 as the key aircraft for meeting Japan’s air transport needs,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

More than 7.5 million passengers have already enjoyed the new experience of flying on-board one of the 39 A380s already delivered, taking them at present to one of 20 major international destinations worldwide in unprecedented levels of comfort. Today, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air France operate the aircraft on daily services to Narita Airport.

Orders for the aircraft stand at 234 from 17 customers.

Notes to editors:

Skymark Airlines, established in 1996 and headquartered at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) in Japan, operates scheduled passenger services on Japan's domestic routes and international charter flights to Seoul and Guam. It is the third largest airline in Japan.
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Skymark May Order 15 Airbus A380s in International Expansion

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Japan’s biggest low-cost carrier, said it may order as many as 15 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] A380 superjumbos as it adds international flights.
The planes, which would be delivered from 2014, would fly to cities including London, Frankfurt and New York, President [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] told reporters in Tokyo today. The carrier plans to fit the superjumbos with 394 seats, divided between business and premium economy.
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] plunged 16 percent on Nov. 9 in Tokyo trading after first announcing plans to add A380s and challenge All Nippon Airways Co. and Japan Airlines Corp. on overseas routes. The carrier currently only flies scheduled domestic services using a fleet of 15 all-economy Boeing Co. 737 planes.
The airline has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus covering the purchase of four A380s, the planemaker said in a statement today. Skymark intends to buy two of the aircraft itself and to lease the other two, Nishikubo said.
The carrier intends for the A380s to be profitable in the first year of operation, he said. Future destinations will include Los Angeles, Honolulu, Melbourne and Rome, he said.
Skymark, which is listed on the start-up [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, fell 1 percent to 760 yen at the close of trading today. The airline announced its A380 fleet plans after the market closed.

Skymark Plans to Expand Fleet With Boeing 737s, President Says

Skymark Airlines Inc. President Shinichi Nishikubo said the Japanese carrier plans to expand its fleet to as many as 50 aircraft in four years. The expansion will be leased Boeing Co. 737 planes, he said.

Japan's Skymark eyes larger fleet

president of Japanese domestic low-cost airline Skymark Tuesday outlined plans to join the top league of international carriers and said it could possibly expand its fleet of Airbus superjumbos.
Shinichi Nishikubo's comments come after the firm stunned the industry last month by becoming the first Japanese airline to order the A380s, buying four with an option for another two at a cost of more than two billion dollars.
Nishikubo said Skymark, based at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport, aims to expand its wider fleet, including Boeing 737s, within four years to 40-50 aircraft from the current 18.
Setting out a vision of going head-to-head with Japan's two dominant carriers -- Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) -- Nishikubo said he was looking at buying up to 15 double-decker planes in the future and push into Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States.
"I have no worries about the funds to buy 380s as Skymark's business is quite good," he told a news conference, stressing that the company would not borrow money or issue bonds or shares to pay for the planes.
Nishikubo, a former president of Japanese Internet service provider Zero who became Skymark chief in 2004, said the purchases would go ahead "if our business plan succeeds" and barring sharp currency fluctuations between the yen and weak dollar.
"We can make a decision on whether to raise the total purchase to 15 soon after we introduce our first Airbus 380s in 2014," he told AFP.
He said his company had yet to order Rolls-Royce engines for the A380s following a mid-air emergency involving an one of the aircraft operated by Australia's Qantas in which one of its turbines exploded.
"First, we have to carry out our own investigation carefully and then we will seek explanations from Rolls-Royce... next spring," he said. "But there is still a fair possibility that we will choose Rolls-Royce."
Skymark, founded in 1996, has just under 1,400 employees, according to its website, and now serves about three million passengers a year.
In recent weeks said it would hire about 470 former JAL employees as the struggling flag carrier has been forced to reduce its workforce as it undergoes state-led restructuring.
Nishikubo said there were no immediate plan to form an alliance with other airliners at home or overseas, and that the carrier had no other investment partners at the moment.
"Skymark is a crazy company," he said. "No one but I wants to invest massive funds in such a company."

A 380 : Skymark signe la commande ferme

Cette semaine est placée sous le signe du japon pour Airbus. Jeudi 17 février, Shin’ichi Nishikubo, président de la compagnie low cost japonaise Skymark Airlines, est attendu à Toulouse. Il doit officialiser son intention de commander quatre Airbus A 380 pour une valeur catalogue de 1,3 milliard de dollars en signant le contrat ferme.
Cette signature est particulièrement satisfaisante pour l’avionneur européen. «Skymark persiste dans son choix annoncé en novembre. C’est très significatif quelques jours après que Boeing a montré son nouveau B 747-8 Intercontinental qu’il présente comme le rival de l’A 380. Or, le client japonais préfère le super-jumbo européen bien que Boeing détienne 99% du marché nippon», souligne-t-on dans l’entourage de l’avionneur.
Lundi, c’était la nouvelle low-cost japonaise A&F Aviation, co-détenue par All Nippon Airlines (ANA) et la compagnie de Hong Kong First Eastern Investment, qui annonçait avoir choisi des Airbus A 320 pour débuter son activité au Japon. Au détriment des Boeing B 737. A&F Aviation va exploiter 10 Airbus A 320 dans le cadre d’un accord de leasing signé avec le loueur américain Gecas, filiale de General Electric. Les premiers appareils doivent entrer en service fin 2011.

Chasser sur les terres de Boeing
Avec l’A 380, son avion vedette, et l’A 320, son best-seller, Airbus effectue enfin la percée tant attendue sur cette chasse gardée américaine. «Ce n’est qu’un début», sourit-on à Toulouse. Le président de Skymark envisage en effet de porter sa flotte de super-jumbos à 15 exemplaires à terme afin d’étendre son réseau international qu’elle va commencer à déployer en 2014.
Ces deux contrats pourraient jouer un rôle déclencheur auprès d’autres compagnies japonaises. Airbus qui a séduit deux low cost, fait campagne pour convaincre une des Majors comme Japan Airlines (JAL) ou encore ANA, des fidèles de Boeing. Mais ANA a été échaudée par les retards à répétition du nouveau long courrier B 787 dont elle est la compagnie de lancement.

Skymark Airlines of Japan confirms order for four A380s


Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest and fast growing airline, signed a contract for four A380s with Airbus, firming up a Memorandum of Understanding announced in November 2010.

The contract was signed on Thursday, 17^th February, during a ceremony held at Airbus' headquarters in Toulouse, France, in the presence of Skymark Airlines President, Shinichi Nishikubo, Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders, and Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy, together with Airbus Japan CEO, Stephane Ginoux.

At the signing ceremony Shinichi Nishikubo said, “We believe that the A380, the world’s most cost-efficient, modern and environmentally friendly aircraft with cutting-edge technologies, will provide us with a strong competitive advantage and safe operation. We will become the very first Japanese airline to offer our passengers a unique and new experience of flying – more space, more comfort and a quieter cabin. With the four-engined A380, we are free from ETOPS constraints and can provide flexible operations.”

“We are pleased to welcome Skymark as our newest and first Japanese A380 customer,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “The A380 is the most eco-efficient solution to allow Japan's air traffic to grow in a capacity constrained environment.”

The A380 is the most advanced, spacious and eco-efficient airliner in service today. Over ten million passengers have already enjoyed the unique experience of flying on board the all-new aircraft. The in-service fleet has accumulated by now almost 250,000 revenue flight hours in nearly 28,000 commercial flights. 20 major airports are currently served by the flagship of the 21st century.

Today, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air France operate the aircraft on daily services to Narita Airport. Starting from March 27, 2011, Singapore Airlines will extend its A380 operation from Narita to Los Angeles, while Korean Air’s first A380 service to Narita is scheduled on June 1 this year.

Following today's announcement, total firm orders for the A380 stand at 244 from 19 customers worldwide and 43 aircraft have been delivered to five customers.

Following today's announcement, total firm orders for the A380 stand at 244 from 19 customers worldwide and 43 aircraft have been delivered to five customers.

Skymark starts Japanese disruption

“Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest and fast growing airline, signed a contract for four A380s with Airbus, firming up a Memorandum of Understanding announced in November 2010.
The contract was signed on Thursday, 17^th February, during a ceremony held at Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, France, in the presence of Skymark Airlines President, Shinichi Nishikubo, Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders, and Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy, together with Airbus Japan CEO, Stephane Ginoux.
At the signing ceremony Shinichi Nishikubo said, “We believe that the A380, the world’s most cost-efficient, modern and environmentally friendly aircraft with cutting-edge technologies, will provide us with a strong competitive advantage and safe operation. We will become the very first Japanese airline to offer our passengers a unique and new experience of flying – more space, more comfort and a quieter cabin. With the four-engined A380, we are free from ETOPS constraints and can provide flexible operations.”
This is an awesome move. Skymark is an LCC. It has a fleet of 18 737-800s with another 7 on order. We a[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]re talking a simple trunk operation in Japan as the map demonstrates. Imagine a small airline like this going from 737s to A380s?

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There are a few people who remember what happened to America West when it took delivery of four ex-KLM 747s in 1989. A smallish domestic LCC decided it wanted to become an international carrier and it won service to Japan in a route case. The success was short lived. The 747 operation was much more complex than the airline realized and the costs were astronomical compared to what it was used to. The 747s were gone in a trip into Chapter 11 in 1991.
As they say, beware of what you wish for. Success as an LCC do not automatically qualify you for success on a bigger scale. Even if Japan has seen a much weakened JAL, it is clear the state is not ready to let that company sink. Like other nations, Japan’s airline business suffers political interference.
We would suggest that Skymark’s A380 is a huge bite – think eyes too big for stomach.
Current airlines serving this market will not simply rollover. EU airlines have been going through an aggressive learning curve dealing with Gulf-based airlines. They will be ready to react to the Japanese upstart. Alliances will circle to protect traffic. EU airlines know all to well how disruptive an A380 can be in the hands of a competitor.
So the combination of massive increase in complexity by bringing on A380s and the reaction of competitors will ensure Skymark’s managers lose a lot of sleep when deliveries start. That a Japanese owned A380 will be disruptive there is no doubt. But the disruption might not be helpful to anyone. Certainly one cannot expect ANA and JAL to sit idly by. Skymark will also be looking at markets in Australia, Canad and the US. All are well established routes with entrenched competitors. Whichever way Skymark looks it will face experienced and tough competitors.
The planned Skymark A38os will be two class, 114 business class and 280 coach seats. An A380 with under 400 seats? That is comfortable and most un-LCC like. So this perhaps indicates a change of LCC-think, too. There are numerous questions that emerge with this news.

Skymark Airlines, Japan’s third largest and fast growing airline, placed firm orders with Airbus for two more A380 aircraft. This latest purchase agreement brings the total number of A380s ordered by Skymark to six aircraft. The Japanese carrier plans to start operations with the A380 on international routes linking Narita to destinations in Europe and the U.S.

The contract was signed on Thursday, 23^rd June, at the Paris Air Show, in the presence of Skymark Airlines President, Shinichi Nishikubo, Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders, and Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy, together with Airbus Japan CEO, Stephane Ginoux.

At the signing ceremony Shinichi Nishikubo said, “The A380 is a remarkable aircraft, setting new standards in air travel, and giving us strong competitive advantages in the international market. Therefore, we have decided to increase the firm order to six aircraft. We are extremely happy to become the very first Japanese airline to offer our passengers a unique and new experience of flying with the A380.”

“We appreciate the strong and renewed vote of confidence from our first Japanese A380 airline customer,” said Tom Enders. “Thanks to its fleet of six A380s, Skymark will benefit from significantly reduced operating costs and leading environmental performance while offering its passengers the highest levels of comfort. The airline will be extremely well positioned to grow as an international carrier.”

The A380 is the most advanced, spacious and eco-efficient airliner in service today. Over 12 million passengers have already enjoyed the unique experience of flying on board the all-new aircraft. The in-service fleet has accumulated by now almost 300,000 revenue flight hours in nearly 33,000 commercial flights. Today, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, and Korean Air operate the aircraft on daily services to Narita Airport.

Following today's announcement, total firm orders for the A380 stand at 236 from 18 customers worldwide and 51 aircraft have been delivered to six customers.

Japan's Skymark Airlines has amended its agreement for Airbus A380s, exercising options for another two of the type.
Skymark ordered four A380s earlier this year.
Speaking during an event at the show, Skymark president Shinichi Nishikubo said the A380 gave the airline "strong competitive advantages" in the international market.
Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy said the follow-on deal took Skymark's backlog of A380s to six.

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has signed a letter of intent with the Japanese airline Skymark Airlines to provide Trent 900 engines to power six Airbus A380 aircraft, including TotalCare® long-term engine service and support. The aircraft will enter into service in 2014.

Skymark is a new customer for Rolls-Royce, .....

..... and the airline is the first in Japan to order the Airbus A380. Trent 900 engines powered the very first A380 to enter service in 2007 and have now been selected by 11 of 16 airlines who have ordered the aircraft.

Skymark will benefit from the commitment of Rolls-Royce to continually improve the performance and dependability of its engines. The Trent 900s it has ordered will incorporate enhancements in design and materials that will yield almost a two per cent improvement in fuel efficiency compared with those in service today.

Shinichi Nishikubo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Skymark, said: “Skymark has been evaluating the engines for the A380 since it decided to order the A380 in Nov 2010. As a result, Skymark came to the conclusion that the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 has superior fuel burn, reliability, economic efficiency and aftermarket support. This is why Skymark concluded that the Trent 900 is the most suitable engine for its operation."

Jim Sheard, Rolls-Royce Senior Vice President – Civil Aerospace, said: “Skymark is a new customer for Rolls-Royce and we are very pleased that they have put their trust in our leading edge engine technology and TotalCare support. This latest order, from a new customer, confirms the Trent 900 as the true market leader and engine of choice for the majority of A380 operators.”

The Trent 900 is currently in service with three airlines and has been selected by all A380 customers who have made engine selection decisions this year.

Firm and option Trent 900- powered A380 aircraft on order total 129. TotalCare® long-term service agreements, in place on 90 per cent of Trent engines, are designed to minimise customer financial risk and enhance operational performance and reliability, allowing operators to concentrate on their core business.

Intrepid Aviation today announced the lease execution for seven (7) Airbus A330-300 aircraft with Skymark Airlines in Japan. The aircraft, which will deliver from the beginning of 2014 through to 2015 will be subject to long-term leases to the Japanese airline.
“We are delighted to be adding Skymark Airlines to our customer base, and look forward to a long term relationship with them”, said Volker Fabian, Intrepid’s Chief Commercial Officer. “The Airbus A330 aircraft continues to prove itself through excellent operating economics and we foresee the aircraft type to further expand its customer base in the future.”

“We are pleased with our new Intrepid partnership in what marks a new stage of growth for Skymark with the introduction of the A330-300 to our fleet. The aircraft will be used primarily on domestic trunk routes and our future international routes”, said Shinichi Nishikubo, Skymark Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer.

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has signed a $1bn contract, at list prices, from Japan's Skymark Airlines for Trent 900 engines to power six Airbus A380 aircraft.

The Trent 900 order, which follows the announcement of a letter of intent for these engines in September 2011, includes long-term TotalCare® service support. The aircraft will enter into service in 2014.

The airline has also signed a letter of intent for Trent 700 engines to power up to 10 leased Airbus A330s, including TotalCare®.

The aircraft will be the first A330s in Skymark's fleet and will enter into service in 2014.