First Flying bids farewell to Islander, welcomes Twin Otter.

On August 2nd, First Flying [DAK] introduced the 19-seat Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otter on the Okinawa/Naha [OKA/ROAH] – Aguni [AGJ/RORA] route. The newly-delivered aircraft replaced the nine-seat Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander, which operated its last revenue flight on July 31st, on their three-times-daily 25-minute hop connecting Naha and the remote island. This leaves Kagoshima [KOJ/RJFK]-based New Japan Aviation [NJA] as the last remaining airline flying the Islander in Japan.

Viking/de Havilland Canada DHC-6-400 Twin Otter JA201D is adorned with colorful decals of the mascots of Aguni, Ishigaki, Taketomi (Hateruma), and Tarama, which are First Flying's current and soon-to-be-served destinations. (Photo: First Flying)

First Flying originally inherited two Islanders from Ryukyu Air Commuter [RAC] in 2009 to take over the Naha – Aguni link as well as launch Naha – Okinoerabu [OKE/RJKB] – Tokunoshima [TKN/RJKN] in June that year. However, just over a year later in September 2010, the tiny carrier announced it could no longer afford to continue the routes after heavy losses. Termination was averted after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT), and later Okinawa prefecture, stepped in to subsidize the essential air links.

A farewell banner was placed on the walls at Aguni Airport's tiny terminal to commemorate the retirement of the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2B Islander. (Photo: First Flying)

Meanwhile, First Flying is now preparing to reinstate two island-hopping routes from Ishigaki [ISG/ROIG] on December 1st: Hateruma [HTR/RORH] and Tarama [TRA/RORT]. The former hasn't seen scheduled air service since November 2008, while the latter has manged to retain a link to Miyako [MMY/ROMY] with Ryukyu Air Commuter. The brand-new DHC-6-400s will be deployed on these routes as well.

Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2B-20 Islander JA5325 at Aguni. First Flying operated three examples. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

The small island-hopping niche airline is the Japanese launch customer for the revamped new-generation variant of the venerable STOL (Short TakeOff and Landing) aircraft originally developed by de Havilland Canada back in 1964 (First Flying orders two Viking Air DHC-6-400 Twin Otters.). The two aircraft arrived in March 26th, and had been used on proving flights and crew training mostly at Kagoshima.

After purchasing all type certificates from Bombardier Aerospace for all out-of-production models from the DHC-1 to the DHC-7, Viking Air started offering the DHC-6-400 in July 2006. The revamped STOL turboprop boasts more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34/35 engines, Honeywell Primus Apex fully-integrated avionics, deletion of the AC electrical system and beta backup system, modernization of the electrical and lighting system, and composites for non-load-bearing structures such as doors.

Source: Japan General Aviation Service, 2015 March 31st. (in Japanese)
Source: First Flying @ Facebook.
Source: Yaeyama Mainichi Shimbun, 2015 August 19th. (in Japanese)

Solaseed Air expands Okinawa with Ishigaki and Nagoya.

On March 29th, Skynet Asia Airways [6J/SNJ] (d.b.a. Solaseed Air) launched twice-daily Okinawa/Naha [OKA/ROAH] – Ishigaki [ISG/ROIG] and daily Naha – Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG] services using 174-seat Boeing 737-800s (Solaseed Air loads Okinawa to Ishigaki and Nagoya.). Both routes code-share with All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA], whose parent ANA Holdings controls 8.56% of Solaseed Air. It is virtually a transferring of routes, as ANA dropped an identical number of frequencies on the two routes on the same day.

Boeing 737-86N(WL) JA811X touches down at Ishigaki completing its inaugural flight. Solaseed Air's expansion coincides with the arrival of their 12th aircraft, which was only delivered on March 18th. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The inaugural flight to Ishigaki, flight 6J045, operated by 737-86N(WL) JA811X, departed Naha at 1113 JST with a full load of 174 passengers including five children, and touched down at the gateway to the Yaeyama Islands at 1207. The first return leg 6J046 departed Ishigaki at 1255 carrying 165 passengers, including one child, and arrived back at Naha at 1344. Meanwhile, the first flight from Chubu Centrair as 6J069, operated by 737-86N(WL) JA806X, carried 173 passengers including one child.

Flight Schedule:
Naha – Ishigaki NEW 2 daily with 737-800. (Mar/29 - Oct/24)
6J045 OKA 1115 – 1215 ISG 73H Daily *Departs/arrives 10 minutes early Jul/1 - Sep/30.
6J049 OKA 1745 – 1845 ISG 73H Daily
6J046 ISG 1250 – 1345 OKA 73H Daily *Departs/arrives 10 minutes early Jul/1 - Sep/30.
6J050 ISG 1920 – 2015 OKA 73H Daily

Naha – Chubu Centrair NEW daily with 737-800. (Mar/29 - Oct/24)
6J070 OKA 1200 – 1410 NGO 73H Daily *Arrives 5 minutes late Jul/1 - Sep/30.
6J069 NGO 1445 – 1710 OKA 73H Daily *Departs 5 minutes late Jul/1 - Sep/30.

Naha – Ishigaki saw Peach Aviation [MM/APJ] axe the route in July last year (Peach launches Naha hub; but Naha – Ishigaki axed.), while Skymark Airlines [BC/SKY] also operated its last flight on March 28th as part of their bankruptcy reorganizing (Skymark to cut 15% of flights, ground all Airbus A330s.). ANA reduced its frequency to six, while Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] affiliates Japan Transocean Air [NU/JTA] and Ryukyu Air Commuter [RAC] together continue to operate nine daily round-trips. Solaseed Air cut its 28-day advance one-way fare to 4,800 JPY after local governments complained that its initial price was higher than Skymark.

Meanwhile, Naha – Chubu Centrair sees four daily round-trips operated by JTA, two by ANA, and a single frequency by Skymark. Jetstar Japan [GK/JJP] also entered the route with a single round-trip on the same day on March 29th (Jetstar Japan to start Nagoya – Okinawa.), becoming the first LCC to serve the market.

Although not designated a hub, Solaseed Air has a growing Naha operation, which boasts two daily flights to Kagoshima [KOJ/RJFK], three to Kobe [UKB/RJBE], and one to Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM], in addition to the newly-launched destinations. In other news, the Kyushu-based airline is planning its first international charters (Solaseed Air eyes international charters in FY2015.) this year, linking Kyushu and Okinawa with neighboring Asian destinations.

Source: Aviation Wire, March 29th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, March 29th. (in Japanese)

Peach commences Okinawa – Hong Kong.

On February 21st, Peach Aviation [MM/APJ] launched four-times-weekly Okinawa/Naha [OKA/ROAH] – Hong Kong [HKG/VHHH] service with 180-seat Airbus A320s, as announced in September last year (Peach announces Okinawa – Hong Kong.). The new link becomes the Osaka/Kansai [KIX/RJBB]-headquartered LCC's seventh international route overall, and its fourth nonstop destination from its second hub at Naha (Peach launches Naha hub; but Naha – Ishigaki axed.).

Peach's Naha staff see off Airbus A320-214 JA803P depart on their inaugural flight to Hong Kong on February 21st. The launch of their long-awaited first route to Southeast Asia from the Ryukyu airport this summer will likely coincide with their 15th A320 delivery in July. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The last time the route saw a Japanese carrier operating was until March 2003 with Japan Airlines [JL/JAL]; Peach thus becomes the first LCC to fly the route and the first Japanese airline in 12 years.

The inaugural outbound flight MM965 departed Naha at 1522 JST with a load of 127 passengers, including three children. A320-214 JA803P was assigned to the flight. Meanwhile, the first inbound flight MM964 touched down at Naha at 1605 JST with 168 passengers on board. It was operated by A320-214 JA801P. Victor L. L. Chu, Chairman of Hong Kong-based Far Eastern Investment Group, which owns 33.3% of Peach, was also on the inaugural inbound leg.

Flight Schedule (Feb/21 - Mar/28)
Naha – Hong Kong NEW 4 weekly with A320-200.
MM965 OKA 1645 – 1830 HKG 320 Mo
MM965 OKA 1530 – 1715 HKG 320 We
MM965 OKA 1525 – 1710 HKG 320 Sa
MM965 OKA 1305 – 1450 HKG 320 Su
MM964 HKG 1235 – 1550 OKA 320 Mo/We/Sa/Su

Flight Schedule (Mar/29 - Oct/24)
Naha – Hong Kong 3 weekly with A320-200.
MM965 OKA 1340 – 1505 HKG 320 Mo/Fr/Sa
MM964 HKG 1230 – 1600 OKA 320 Mo/Fr/Sa

One-way fares start from 7,180 JPY. Peach has initially decided to serve the route four times a week, but will reduce to three times during the upcoming Summer 2015 timetable. CEO Shinichi Inoue says he wants to fly the route daily, as soon as favorable slot times become available at the bustling airport serving the former British colony. "Inbound demand has been extraordinary, and I'm convinced that Okinawa is already a very attractive destination," Mr. Inoue commented, adding "We wanted to launch the route in time for the Chinese New Year peak travel period."

Meanwhile, Mr. Inoue also confirmed that their first destination in Southeast Asia will be served from Naha this summer, and the city will be revealed in March. "From Naha, we eventually want to fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore," said Mr. Inoue. Earlier in February, Airports of Thailand (AoT), which manages the kingdom's six major international airports, disclosed that Peach is discussing Naha – Bangkok/Don Mueang [DMK/VTBD] (Peach mulls Okinawa – Bangkok.). With Thailand now being Japan's sixth biggest inbound market accounting for 4.9% of all foreign visitors, and Japan the most popular outbound market for Thailand, this route is highly likely to become Peach's first link to Southeast Asia.

The Naha hub was launched in July 2014 with ambitions to use it as a scissors hub to funnel passengers between the main islands of Japan and Southeast Asia. From their Okinawa hub, the growing LCC serves Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF], Kansai, Taipei/Taoyuan [TPE/RCTP], and now Hong Kong. Naha – Ishigaki, which was axed in July 2014 owing to heavy competition (Peach launches Naha hub; but Naha – Ishigaki axed.), could be resumed when the airline has "enough resources to fly two or three daily flights," Mr. Inoue said. Miyako [MMY/ROMY] is also on Peach's radar. Meanwhile, a third hub is being set up at Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA] (Peach confirms Narita hub; adds Fukuoka and Sapporo.).

Source: Ryukyu Shimpo, February 21st. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, February 21st. (in Japanese)

Skymark to cut 15% of flights, ground all Airbus A330s.

Follow-up from Skymark to file for bankruptcy.

On January 29th, Skymark Airlines [BC/SKY] announced that its filing for bankruptcy protection (Skymark to file for bankruptcy.) with the Tokyo District Court had been accepted. During a press conference held by new President and CEO Masakazu Arimori and Representative Chairman Takashi Ide, it was announced that 15% of flights would be suspended and its entire Airbus A330 fleet grounded effective February 1st. Further network reductions will come into effect from March 29th, the beginning of the Summer 2015 timetable.

Skymark will move back to an all-Boeing 737 operator effective February 1st. The 271-seat all-premium Airbus A330s had only entered service on June 14th, 2014. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

Japan's third largest carrier currently flies 152 daily flights covering 23 nonstop routes, however, that will be reduced to 126 on Wednesdays and 128 on other days effective February 1st. A dozen routes spanning the following cities will be affected: Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF], Ibaraki [IBR/RJAH], Ishigaki [ISG/ROIG], Kobe [UKB/RJBE], Miyako [MMY/ROMY], Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG], Okinawa/Naha [OKA/ROAH], Sapporo/New Chitose [CTS/RJCC], Sendai [SDJ/RJSS], and Yonago [YGJ/RJOH].

Flight Reductions effective February 1st:
Fukuoka – Ibaraki from 2 daily to 1 daily. 
Fukuoka – Naha from 4 daily to 2 daily. 
Fukuoka – Sendai from 2 daily to 6 weekly. *Suspension from Mar/29.
Kobe – Naha from 2 daily to 1 daily. 
Kobe – New Chitose from 2 daily to 1 daily. 
Kobe – Yonago from 2 daily to 1 daily.
Chubu Centrair – Naha from 2 daily to 1 daily. 
Chubu Centrair – New Chitose from 2 daily to 1 daily.
Naha – Ishigaki from 3 daily to 2 daily. *Suspension from Mar/29.
Naha – Miyako from 3 daily to 2 daily. *Suspension from Mar/29.
New Chitose – Ibaraki from 2 daily to 1 daily.
New Chitose – Sendai from 3 daily to 2 daily. *Suspension from Mar/29.

From March 29th, in addition to the previously announced suspension of New Chitose – Sendai (Skymark takes ANA & JAL dual tie-up, axes Sendai – Sapporo.), Skymark will also axe Fukuoka – Sendai, plus Ishigaki and Miyako entirely. Further terminations are likely as the airline reorganizes, with Kobe – Kagoshima [KOJ/RJFK], Kobe – Sendai, and Yonago – Naha probably next up; these three along with New Chitose – Sendai recorded load factors in the 30-40% range for December, one of the peak travel months. Yonago, only launched on December 20th, 2013 as a focus city boasting five routes last summer, as well as Sendai are likely to be closed down entirely (Skymark mulls Yonago pull-out and Sendai cuts.).

As for its fleet, the all-premium 271-seat A330-300s (Skymark Airlines inaugurates Airbus A330 service.) they had only introduced in June last year will be grounded effective February 1st. Six have been delivered so far, though the sixth was only recently handed over and was awaiting a ferry flight from France. Five are leased from Intrepid Aviation and one from CIT Aerospace, with four more on order for delivery by September this year, but Skymark will negotiate to return all airframes and cancel the remaining on order. As it dumped capacity on trunk routes, Skymark often had to slash price of the A330s' premium seats to below that of rivals' economy fares; the more Skymark flew the A330, the more they hemorrhaged. Pilots certified for the A330 will be retrained for the Boeing 737.

Total debt stood at 71 billion JPY, not including the 700 million USD in penalties Airbus is seeking for the cancellation of the Airbus A380 order (Skymark hopes to settle Airbus A380 penalty in October.). As it also needs to cancel A330 contracts, the figure is only estimated to grow in the following months.

Investment fund Integral Corporation will provide finance and help Skymark continue flying while it reorganizes, and Mr. Arimori added "No specific airline has shown interest yet, but we will continue to look for sponsors according to law." Prospect for foreign investment is not zero, but ownership change exceeding 20% will necessitate relinquishing Skymark's 36 prized slot-pairs at Tokyo/Haneda [HND/RJTT], which decreases the appetite of airlines abroad (Skymark's fate: MLIT discourages foreign investment.). Domestically, ANA Holdings, parent of All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA], is the only airline in a position to assist, as the controversial 8.10 Paper prohibits Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] from making any new investments until FY2017.

Skymark also said it will continue discussions with both ANA and JAL to reach a code-share deal (Skymark takes ANA & JAL dual tie-up, axes Sendai – Sapporo.), however, the plan is likely to be reviewed as it was aimed to fill the excess capacity of the A330s. Layoff of staff is not planned, and its approximately 2,200 workforce will be retained at least for now.

The quarterly earnings report, which was due today, has been postponed to February 4th. Shares of Japan's troubled third largest carrier plunged 25% today on January 29th, down by 80 JPY, the maximum possible drop in a day, to 237 JPY per share. The carrier will be de-listed from the Tokyo Stock Exchange effective March 1st, so shareholders have until February 27th to manage their stocks.

But again, the biggest question is how will they restructure? Which market will they go after? Skymark will revert to an all-737 operator flying a network that is a fraction the size of ANA and JAL, without any loyalty program nor premium product. Fares will still be more affordable than ANA and JAL, but will be far from matching those of LCCs based at Tokyo/Narita [NRT/RJAA], its access of which has improved greatly both in terms of time and cost. As has been the case with its post-deregulation peers, will it eventually choose to come under the umbrella of ANA (Running out of time: Will Skymark join ANA?)? Or will it become Japan's first airline to be liquidated?

Source: Skymark Airlines, January 29th. (in Japanese)
Source: Skymark Airlines, January 29th. (in Japanese) 
Source: Nikkei Shimbun, January 29th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, January 29th. (in Japanese)
Source: Skymark Airlines, January 29th. (in Japanese) 

*Edited/updated on February 12th.

Solaseed Air loads Okinawa to Ishigaki and Nagoya.

On January 21st, Skynet Asia Airways [6J/SNJ] (d.b.a. Solaseed Air) announced the details of its new routes from Okinawa/Naha [OKA/ROAH] to Ishigaki [ISG/ROIG] and Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG] (Solaseed Air to add Ishigaki and Nagoya from Okinawa.) that will be launched from March 29th, the beginning of the Summer 2015 timetable.

Boeing 737-86N(WL) JA805X Nishimera Karikobozu Go is seen between flights at Miyazaki Airport. Nishimera, a village in Miyazaki prefecture, is the sponsor for the billboard title, and Karikobozu is their mascot. (Photo: Solaseed Air)

The former will be served twice daily and the latter once daily using 174-seat Boeing 737-800s. For scheduled flights, both destinations are seeing the airline for the first time. All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA], whose parent ANA Holdings owns 8.56% of Solaseed Air, will put its code on all three round-trips, and instead will drop an identical number of frequencies on the same routes.

Flight Schedule:
Naha – Ishigaki NEW 2 daily with 737-800. (Mar/29 - Oct/24)
6J045 OKA 1115 – 1215 ISG 73H Daily *Departs/arrives 10 minutes early Jul/1 - Sep/30.
6J049 OKA 1745 – 1845 ISG 73H Daily
6J046 ISG 1250 – 1345 OKA 73H Daily *Departs/arrives 10 minutes early Jul/1 - Sep/30.
6J050 ISG 1920 – 2015 OKA 73H Daily

Naha – Chubu Centrair NEW daily with 737-800. (Mar/29 - Oct/24)
6J070 OKA 1200 – 1410 NGO 73H Daily *Arrives 5 minutes late Jul/1 - Sep/30.
6J069 NGO 1445 – 1710 OKA 73H Daily *Departs 5 minutes late Jul/1 - Sep/30. 

The Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM]-based carrier is taking delivery of its 12th 737-800 in March, and it has been anticipated that new routes would be launched, in addition to planned international charters (Solaseed Air eyes international charters in FY2015.) to China, South Korea, and Taiwan. Although not designated a hub, Solaseed Air has a growing Naha operation, with two daily flights to Kagoshima [KOJ/RJFK], three to Kobe [UKB/RJBE], and one to Miyazaki.

The mid-cost carrier code-shares with ANA throughout its entire network, coordinating closely with its de facto parent. As witnessed, Solaseed Air's launch of these two new routes is virtually another transfer of some flights from ANA.

Source: Skynet Asia Airways, January 21st. (in Japanese)

Solaseed Air to add Ishigaki and Nagoya from Okinawa.

On December 19th, Skynet Asia Airways [6J/SNJ] (d.b.a. Solaseed Air) revealed that they will launch Okinawa/Naha [OKA/ROAH] – Ishigaki [ISG/ROIG] and Naha – Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG] on March 29th, 2015, the beginning of the Summer 2015 timetable. Frequencies, schedules, and other details will be released during the latter half of January. 174-seat Boeing 737-800s, on which the fleet has been standardized, will be assigned.

Boeing 737-86N(WL) JA803X takes off from Tokyo International Airport at Haneda. Solaseed Air completed transitioning to an all-737-800 fleet on September 30th (Solaseed Air bids farewell to the Boeing 737-400.). (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The Miyazaki [KMI/RJFM]-based carrier will take delivery of its 12th 737-800 in March 2015, and it has been anticipated that new routes would be launched, in addition to earlier-announced international charters (Solaseed Air eyes international charters in FY2015.) to China, South Korea, and Taiwan. Although not designated a hub, Solaseed Air has a growing Naha operation, with two daily flights to Kagoshima [KOJ/RJFK], three to Kobe [UKB/RJBE], and one to Miyazaki. All flights code-share with All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA], a subsidiary of ANA Holdings, which owns 8.56% of Solaseed Air.

The Naha – Chubu Centrair route already sees three carriers competing; ANA Group operates two daily, Japan Transocean Air [NU/JTA] three, and Skymark Airlines [BC/SKY] two. Meanwhile, Naha – Ishigaki is a fiercer battleground, with ANA Group flying eight daily, JTA eight daily, Ryukyu Air Commuter [RAC] one, and Skymark three. The latter route additionally saw LCC Peach Aviation [MM/APJ] until July 18th (Peach launches Naha hub; but Naha – Ishigaki axed.), when they suspended the route and eventually axed it, citing heavy competition.

However, this is probably a plan already well-coordinated with de facto parent ANA, like the case with Star Flyer [7G/SFJ] (Star Flyer launches Yamaguchi-Ube.) when they virtually took over some of ANA's flights at Yamaguchi-Ube. Both of Solaseed Air's new routes will probably code-share with ANA, and instead Japan's largest carrier will likely reduce frequency to free-up some narrow-body aircraft.

Source: Skynet Asia Airways, December 19th. (PDF; in Japanese)

ANA releases Winter 2014/2015 schedule.

On August 20th, All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) released their Winter 2014/2015 timetable, effective October 26th. The only new route being announced is Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) – Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) (ANA to resume Haneda – Nagoya in October.), timed to feed their expanded international network at Haneda (ANA's Summer 2014 international expansion.).

Boeing 767-381 JA602A in the Mohican Blue livery used by ANA from May 1969 until March 1989. It was revived as a retro-jet on December 1st, 2009, and completed operations in this special scheme on August 11th, 2014 with NH638, service from Iwakuni to Haneda. It will revert to the current Triton Blue livery. (Photo: Luke H. Ozawa/ANA)

For domestic, other changes include frequency increases from Haneda to Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG), Okayama (OKJ/RJOB), and Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), and from Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) to Osaka/Itami (ITM/RJOO) and Naha. Meanwhile, reductions include the Haneda – Yamaguchi-Ube (UBJ/RJDC) route (Star Flyer to add Yamaguchi-Ube; but reduce Fukuoka.), with capacity de facto transferred to partly-owned subsidiary Star Flyer (7G/SFJ) to free up some of ANA's Haneda slots.

New Routes/Resumptions (DOMESTIC):
Haneda – Chubu Centrair NEW 1 daily with 737-800.
NH85 HND 1825 – 1930 NGO 73H Daily *From Oct/26.
NH86 NGO 0750 – 0850 HND 73H Daily *From Oct/26.

Frequency Increases (DOMESTIC): 
Fukuoka – Naha from 8 to 9 daily.
Itami – Fukuoka from 5 to 7 daily.
Haneda – Ishigaki from 1 to 2 daily. *From Feb/1.
Haneda – Okayama from 5 to 6 daily.
Haneda – Naha from 10 to 11 daily.

Frequency Reductions (DOMESTIC):
Itami – Naha from 3 to 2 daily.
Itami – New Chitose from 4 to 3 daily. 
Sendai – New Chitose from 4 to 3 daily.
Haneda – Yamaguchi-Ube from 5 to 3 daily.

For international, there's not much change, with the Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) – Chengdu (CTU/ZUUU) route seeing a reduction, except for the Chinese New Year period. However, there are equipment swaps between Boeing 767s, 787s, and 777s for regional Asian routes. Popular Taiwan will see all Haneda – Taipei/Songshan (TSA/RCSS) flights operating with the larger 787-8, while Haneda – Manila (MNL/RPLL) will be downsized to 767-300ERs. Haneda – Seoul/Gimpo (GMP/RKSS) will see 14 weekly round-trips being downsized to the 787-8 from the 777-200ER, while Haneda – Shanghai/Pudong (PVG/ZSPD) will see half of its 14 weekly round-trips up-gauged from the 787-8 to the 777-200ER.

Frequency Reductions (INTERNATIONAL):
Narita – Chengdu from 7 to 4 weekly. *7 weekly Feb/13 - 28.

ANA says they will continue to strengthen their Tokyo dual hubs at Haneda and Narita. Japan's largest carrier wants to capture Asia – North America connections at Narita, while Haneda will pursue the Tokyo/domestic – international market.

Reference: All Nippon Airways, August 20th. (in Japanese)

Skymark commences Sendai – Okinawa.

On August 9th, Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) launched seasonal service between Sendai (SDJ/RJSS) and Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH). The route will be operated once daily with 177-seat Boeing 737-800s through September 15th.

Boeing 737-82Y(WL) JA73NE taxies past its fellow 737s as it arrives at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Flight Schedule (Aug/1 - Sep/15):
Sendai – Naha NEW 1 daily with 737-800.
BC583 SDJ 0910 – 1205 OKA 73H/738 Daily
BC586 OKA 1820 – 2100 SDJ 73H/738 Daily

In other news, Japan's third largest carrier released their July load factors. The figure was 74.4% system-wide, up 2.8% compared to the same period last year; number of available seats rose 6.7% to 920,949, while passengers carried increased 9.7% to 666,834. Their 36 slot-pairs at Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) continue to post high figures with all above 70%; the six routes from the preferred airport serving the capital generate roughly 80% of their revenue. Sendai is getting there, with numbers exceeding 60%, along with routes from Naha to Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG) and Miyako (MMY/ROMY), both of which posted over 70%.

Meanwhile, load factors from their new focus city at Yonago (YGJ/RJOH) continue to tread around 30-40%, excluding the double-daily Haneda link, while Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) sees load factors exceeding 70%, however, with heavy competition with LCCs yield is believed to be low (Skymark mulls pull-out from Narita and Yonago.). In the current fare war, the breakeven point for their Narita operations is estimated around 80-85%.

TOKYO/HANEDA
Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) was the highest, recording 90.9%, up 5.2% from the same period last year. The Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) route saw the figure decrease by 7.2% to 73.1% as a result of capacity increase following the introduction of the Airbus A330 (Skymark Airlines inaugurates Airbus A330 service.). Kagoshima (KOJ/RJFK) was at 74.6%, Kobe (UKB/RJBE) saw 73.4%, Naha 86.1%, and Yonago 73.7%.

TOKYO/NARITA
Skymark competes with LCCs Jetstar Japan (GK/JJP) and Vanilla Air (JW/VNL) on two routes; New Chitose saw 77.2%, up 8.7% over last year, and Naha was at 76.4%, down 1.6%. The Yonago link sees no competitor, but the figure was 30.9%.

YONAGO
All routes except for Haneda are struggling. Naha saw 43.5% while New Chitose was at 42.6% (Skymark expands Yonago, axes Asahikawa and Kumamoto.). Kobe remained low at 37.3%, while the Narita link was even lower, as mentioned above. On August 8th, Governor of Shimane Prefecture Shinji Hirai reported that Shinichi Nishikubo, Skymark's President and CEO, promised that "a complete withdrawal will not happen," though it could also mean all routes except for Haneda are at danger of being axed.

IBARAKI
Kanto's (Greater Tokyo) third airport at Ibaraki (IBR/RJAF) saw its Fukuoka route at 48.2%, and Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) worst in the system at 24.3% (Skymark adds Fukuoka and Nagoya from Ibaraki.). New Chitose was 72.4%, up 6.4%.

SENDAI
Kobe saw 55.7% (Skymark announces Yonago and Sendai expansion.), while Fukuoka saw 64.6% (up 2.1%) and New Chitose saw 64.1% (up 2.2%).

OKINAWA/NAHA
Naha – Ishigaki posted 73.3%, an increase of 17.0% over the same period last year, while Naha – Miyako saw 70.9%, also an increase of 15.2%.

Reference: Aviation Wire, August 11th. (in Japanese)

Peach launches Naha hub; but Naha – Ishigaki axed.

On July 19th, Peach Aviation (MM/APJ) officially launched their second hub at Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), commencing a daily round-trip connecting Naha and Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) (Peach announces Naha – Fukuoka.) with 180-seat Airbus A320s. One aircraft will be based at Naha.

Departing for MM288's inaugural flight, Airbus A320-214 JA806P is seen off by employees of Peach and officials of Okinawa. (Photo: Peach)

The inaugural flight MM288 from Naha to Fukuoka departed at 1639 JST with 174 passengers, and arrived at the Kyushu airport at 1823. Return leg MM289 departed Fukuoka at 1906 with an identical number of passengers at 174, and arrived back at Naha at 2041. One-way fares range from 4,290 to 21,990 JPY. Naha will now offer three destinations, including Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) and Taipei/Taoyuan (TPE/RCTP). The Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG) link was suspended on the previous day on July 18th.

Flight Schedule (July 19th - September 20th):
Naha – Fukuoka NEW 1 daily with A320-200.
MM288 OKA 1635 – 1815 FUK 320 Daily
MM289 FUK 1845 – 2025 OKA 320 Daily

Flight Schedule (September 21st - October 25th):
Naha – Fukuoka 1 daily with A320-200.
MM288 OKA 1820 – 2000 FUK 320 Daily
MM289 FUK 2030 – 2210 OKA 320 Daily 

In April, the Kansai-based LCC announced major flight disruptions due to the lack of pilots (Peach outlines Summer 2014 mass cancellations.), resulting in 2,080 cancellations, a whopping 16.1% of its total 12,886 flights planned between May 1st and October 25th. Naha – Ishigaki was initially reported to be a temporary casualty, however, it was recently revealed that it would be suspended from July 19th, and will be terminated on August 31st, axing the route indefinitely. Peach will continue to maintain a once-daily Kansai – Ishigaki link.

CEO Shinichi Inoue said "Load factors weren't bad," adding "There are many carriers here, and we decided it would be wiser to use the aircraft somewhere else," citing heavy competition. ANA Group offers nine daily round-trips, JAL Group flies seven, while Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) operates four round-trips, and Peach had one. After Skymark and Peach entered the market with fares as low as 4,200 JPY and 3,290 JPY, respectively, ANA (parent ANA Holdings minority-owns Peach) and JAL slashed their fares from around 20,000 JPY to 5,000 JPY, sparking a fare war. Naha – Ishigaki thus became Peach's first route to be terminated.

Peach becomes the second Japanese LCC to launch a second hub, after Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA)-based Jetstar Japan (GK/JJP) launched their Kansai hub (Jetstar Japan launches Kansai hub.) on June 12th. Strategically located, Peach intends to use Naha as a scissors hub to funnel passengers between the main islands of Japan and Southeast Asia. "Our A320s cannot reach Southeast Asia from Kansai, but the Naha hub would enable us to meet the growing demand to and from that region," Mr. Inoue says. He added that Thailand and Vietnam are at the top of the list of destinations he would like to start flying to.

The Kansai-based LCC currently operates 10 A320 flying six international and 10 domestic routes. Peach is owned 38.67% by ANA Holdings, 33.33% by Hong Kong-based First Eastern Investment Group, and 28.0% by Innovation Network Corporation of Japan.

Reference: Nikkei Shimbun, July 18th. (in Japanese)
Reference: Peach Aviation @ Facebook. (in Japanese)
Reference: Aviation Wire, July 20th. (in Japanese)

Skymark's new routes suffering low load factors.

Skymark Airlines' (BC/SKY) system-wide load factor for April, the first month of the Summer 2014 schedule, was 62.1%. Available seats went up 13.4% to 840,397 while total passenger number only increased 6.1% to 521,011. While its lucrative Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) slots continue to generate positive results, their recent foray into secondary markets is hurting the bottom line. Here's a summary of some of the details.

Boeing 737-86N(WL) JA73NT prepares for another flight from Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

GREATER TOKYO
From Haneda, Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) was at the top with 84.9% (+0.8% from 1 year ago), while Yonago (YGJ/RJOH) was lowest with 53.1% (new from April 1st). Routes that saw the seventies were Kobe (UKB/RJBE) at 70.9% and Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) at 78.5%. At Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA), Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH) saw 57.0% (-0.9%) and New Chitose was at 46.0% (+17.4%). These routes see heavy competition (Skymark matches fares with LCCs at Narita.) from Jetstar Japan (GK/JJP) and Vanilla Air (JW/VNL). Its new focus city of Ibaraki (IBR/RJAH) saw new services to Fukuoka at 49.9% (new from April 18th) and Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) at 22.8% (Skymark adds Fukuoka and Nagoya from Ibaraki.), while Kobe saw 57.1% (+2.2%).

SENDAI
Sendai's (SDJ/RJSS) new route to Kobe is showing 35.2% (new from April 1st), while Fukuoka was at 49.6% (+6.2%) and New Chitose at 39.4% (-3.3%). The Sapporo service sees competition from Air Do (HD/ADO).

YONAGO
Naha is doing the best at 46.3% (new from April 1st) (Skymark expands Yonago, axes Asahikawa and Kumamoto.), while Kobe showed 29.3%, New Chitose saw 18.7%, and Narita was at 22.2%.

OKINAWAN ISLANDS
Naha – Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG), which was launched on July 10th last year, saw 42.7%. Meanwhile, the Naha – Miyako (MMY/ROMY) route, which resumed on June 1st last year, recorded 57.8%.

As has been their profit structure (and similar for ANA and JAL as well), Haneda's 'bread-and-butter' operations account for over 80% of Skymark's revenue. Japan's third largest domestic carrier has been shifting strategy (Skymark posts loss but optimistic with strategy tweaks.) from a low-cost model to a hybrid model, as a means of survival and to differentiate itself among an increasing portfolio of LCCs. All-premium Airbus A380s and A330s (Skymark Airlines' first two Airbus A330s delivered.) will go after the affordable premium market for international and domestic, respectively, while the focus for domestic expansion is on secondary routes, where Skymark believes LCCs would not be able to produce enough yield.

President and CEO Shinichi Nishikubo reiterates that "Skymark now has (cash) strength to withstand initial losses," adding "we will not pull out in a short time like we used to." Will they be able to make these secondary markets work?

Source: Aviation Wire, May 14th. (in Japanese)

Peach Airbus A320 narrowly avoids crash at Okinawa.

On April 28th, Peach Aviation's (MM/APJ) flight MM252, service from Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG) to Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH), made a narrow escape as it descended too early and came within just 75 meters (248 feet) above sea level while coming in to land at the Okinawan capital.

Flying with 53 passengers, four flight attendants, and two cockpit crew (Argentine Captain and Japanese First Officer), Airbus A320-214 JA802P was approaching Naha when the pilot believed air traffic control (ATC) was telling him to land already when they were still in fact seven kilomteres north of the airport, putting the aircraft into a premature dive. Visibility was poor with rain and thick low clouds, and what could have been a serious accident was averted by the aircraft's ground proximity warning system, which prompted the crew to make a sharp climb. It made another approach and landed safely at Naha at 1210, local time, 30 minutes later than schedule, without any injuries.

Subsequent inspections revealed no abnormalities with the Airbus narrowbody. As a result, MM107/108, a round-trip from Kansai to Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC), and MM111/112, a round-trip from Kansai to Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA), were canceled.

Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) labelled this a 'serious incident', adding that the aircraft was in a "dangerous situation as it could have crashed into the sea." The accident-investigating arm of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) sent three officials to Peach's headquarters at Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) to look into the matter. The Captain claims that he mistakenly believed that ATC had directed the airplane to decrease its altitude.

Source: Peach Aviation, April 29th. (PDF; in Japanese)
Source: Nikkei Shimbun, April 29th. (in Japanese)

JTA to boost Haneda - Ishigaki with Boeing 767.

On April 24th, Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA) announced that they will add a second round-trip between Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) and Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG), in the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, during the peak summer vacation travel period from July 18th to August 31st. The additional flight will be operated by a Boeing 767 wet-leased from Japan Airlines (JL/JAL).

JTA's Boeing 737-446 JA8999 'SWAL Jet' (retro-jet) in the livery of Southwest Air Lines arrives at Naha. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Frequency increases:
Haneda – Ishigaki from 1 to 2 daily with 763/734.
NU071 HND 0645 – 0940 ISG 734 Daily
NU073 HND 1350 – 1645 ISG 763 Daily *NEW. Operated by JAL. Jul/18 – Aug/31.
NU070 ISG 1030 – 1330 HND 734 Daily
NU076 ISG 1725 – 2020 HND 763 Daily *NEW. Operated by JAL. Jul/18 – Aug/31.

JTA used to operate a Boeing 767 sourced from JAL every summer from 1990 to 1995, mostly on wet-leases. During that period, Boeing 767-346 JA8267 was dry-leased from JAL from May 1992 to March 1993 in full Southwest Air Lines (JTA's former name) livery and 767-246 JA8232 from June 1993 to October 1994 in JTA's earlier color scheme.

JAL Boeing 767-346 JA8268 taxies at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Ishigaki Island is the prefecture's third largest island by area, behind Okinawa and Iriomote, and is located only 270 kilometers from Taiwan. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and pristine coral reefs, it has been the most popular diving destination in Japan.

History of JTA can be traced back to 1967, when they were set up as Southwest Air Lines to take over Okinawa's intra-island routes then operated by Air America (AAM). Okinawa was controlled by the U.S.A. after World War II until 1972, and the U.S. military still retains a significant presence due to the island's strategic location in the Pacific. The current name 'Japan Transocean Air' was adopted on July 1st, 1993, and they are presently owned 70.1% by JAL, 12.9% by Okinawa Prefecture, and the remainder by local businesses.

Source: Japan Transocean Air, April 24th. (PDF; in Japanese)

ANA offers red-eye Haneda - Okinawa 'Galaxy Flight'.

On April 23rd, All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA) announced adjustments to their Summer 2014 schedule, the first version (ANA releases Summer 2014 domestic schedule.) of which was released on January 22nd. The revised timetable sees frequency increases on routes to popular summer destinations, including a new midnight round-trip between Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) and Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH) branded 'Galaxy Flight'.

Boeing 777-381 JA754A 'Peace Jet' taxies for departure at Haneda. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Frequency increases:
Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) – Tsushima (TSJ/RJDT) from 4 to 5 daily. *Aug/8 – 18.
Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) – Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) from 6 to 7 daily. *Jul/18 – Sep/30.
Naha – Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG) from 8 to 9 daily. *Jul/18 – Aug/31.
Sendai (SDJ/RJSS) – New Chitose from 4 to up to 5. *Jul/3 – Aug/31.
Haneda – Naha from 10 to 12 daily. *Jul/18 – Aug/31.
Haneda – Saga (HSG/RJFS) from 4 to 5 daily. *From Jul/1. 

Frequency reductions:
Haneda – Kobe (UKB/RJBE) from 3 to 2 daily. *Jul/18 – Aug/31.

The new red-eye-timed flights connecting Japan's capital with the Ryukyu island have actually been operated since July 2012, but only with belly cargo and no passengers, feeding ANA Cargo's scissors hub at Naha. Now these flights' passenger cabin is being offered for a limited time during the peak summer vacation travel period, taking advantage of Naha's 24-hour airport capability. Either Boeing 777-300s or 787-8s will operate the flights. Although it will be the first red-eye domestic flight for ANA, Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) has operated seasonal red-eye flights on the same route since 2005, albeit sporadically.

NEW red-eye Haneda – Naha timetable:
NH999 HND 0000 – 0230 OKA 773/788 Daily *Jul/18 – Aug/31.
NH1000 OKA 0440 – 0700 HND 773/788 Daily *Jul/18 – Aug/31.

Unlike other typical domestic flights leaving Haneda, NH999 will not be accepting electronic check-in nor walk-through 'Skip' service, and passengers must be checked-in at Counter 15 in Terminal 2 before 2330. The Premium Class cabin will not be opened, as won't lounges which will be closed at that time of the day. Onward check-in will not be offered and pets will not be allowed for check-in. Return leg NH1000 will look more like normal flights, except for not accepting pet check-in and keeping the Premium Class cabin closed.

NH999/1000 will allow for convenient through-connections at ANA's expanded international operations at Haneda (ANA's Summer 2014 international expansion.). One-way fares will start from as low as 9,700 JPY (very affordable for a Haneda flight with ANA) for 60-day-advance tickets and 20,700 JPY for last-minute.

Source: All Nippon Airways, April 23rd. (in Japanese)
Source: All Nippon Airways, April 23rd. (in Japanese)

*Post edited/updated on April 25th.

Ryukyu Air Commuter to fly island-hopping charters.

Starting today, Ryukyu Air Commuter (RAC) will be operating island-hopping charters in the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa prefecture, in the southernmost region of Japan. A De Havilland Canada DHC-8-100Q will operate a Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH) - Kumejima (UEO/ROKJ) - Miyako (MMY/ROMY) - Ishigaki (ISG/ROIG) - Naha rotation in four days. RAC will operate 10 rotations between March 11th and 23rd.

De Havilland Canada DHC-8-103Q JA8973 taxies at Naha. (Photo: Ryosuke Yano)

Flight schedule:
RAC3801 OKA 1215 - 1250 UEO DH1 March 11 - 20
RAC3803 UEO 1335 - 1425 MMY DH1 March 12 - 21
RAC3805 MMY 1450 - 1545 ISG DH1 March 13 - 22
RAC3808 ISG 1630 - 1735 OKA DH1 March 14 - 23

Now operated for seven consecutive years, these flights are part of a packaged tour arranged and sold by Tokyo-based travel agency Club Tourism International to visit the Kumejima, Miyako, and Yaeyama islands. About 300 participants will come from Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Flight RAC3805 is expected to provide a sightseeing opportunity of the Yaeyama Islands before landing at Ishigaki.

RAC is a commuter airline connecting the Ryukyu Islands operating a fleet of one DHC-8-300Q and four DHC-8-100Qs. It is owned 72.9% by JAL Group's Okinawan arm Japan Transocean Air (NU/JTA), 5.1% by the Government of Okinawa, and the rest by local businesses.

Source: Japan Transocean Air, March 7th. (PDF; in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, March 10th. (in Japanese)