New AirAsia Japan receives first Airbus A320.

On October 16th, AirAsia Japan's (Mk II) [DJ] first aircraft, Airbus A320-216(SL) JA01DJ (MSN 6706), arrived at its hub at Nagoya/Chubu Centrair [NGO/RJGG]. Japan's newest airline had taken delivery of the airplane on October 9th. It departed Toulouse/Balgnac [TLS/LFBO] on October 14th and touched down at the main airport serving Nagoya at 1248 JST on October 16th, after making fuel stops at Cairo [CAI/HECA], Muscat [MCT/OOMS], and Yangon [RGN/VYYY]. As with other AirAsia-branded carriers' A320s, the airframe is configured with 180 seats.

Airbus A320-216(SL) JA01DJ receives a traditional water-cannon salute upon arriving at Nagoya' Chubu Centrair and passing by the prototype Boeing 787 Dreamliner donated to the airport. AirAsia Japan's (Mk II) second aircraft, which is planned for delivery in February 2016, will wear a special livery designed by photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

The reincarnation of AirAsia's Japanese unit received its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) on October 6th (New AirAsia Japan receives AOC; takeoff in April 2016.) and will launch operations in April 2016 initially serving three cities from Chubu Centrair; Sapporo/New Chitose [CTS/RJCC], Sendai [SDJ/RJSS] (New AirAsia Japan mulls Nagoya – Sendai.), and Taipei/Taoyuan [TPE/RCTP]. All will launch with double-daily frequencies, and details of the schedule will be released in late November when tickets will go on sale. Its fleet will start with two A320s, then quickly build up to six by year-end 2016, and see five additions each year after that to reach 11 by 2018, 16 by 2019, and at least 20 by 2020, when the Tokyo Olympics/Paralympics take place.

"Chubu's 24-hour operation is very attractive as it enables us to add red-eye or early morning flights, thus helping to increase aircraft utilization. The A320 can fly up to 4.5 hours, so all of Japan is covered and Korea, China, Taiwan, Guam, and Saipan are all within reach. Although we aren't in the position to disclose our fourth city, we will actively be adding new destinations in the first five years with a little more emphasis on international than domestic," said CEO Yoshinori Odagiri in a press conference at their RedBase headquarters following delivery, adding "Nagoya is one of Japan's three biggest metropolitan regions along with Tokyo and Osaka, and with Aichi being an industrial area, its population has been increasing. Until now, many have used airports in Tokyo or Osaka to travel beyond, but we would like to create more options from Chubu." The airline is aiming to produce its first full-year profit for FY2018.

Flight attendants of the new AirAsia Japan (Mk II) pose inside brand-new Airbus A320-216(SL) JA01DJ at Chubu Centrair. Crew training flights using the aircraft are expected to start as early as November. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

"We can be flying at least 120 flights in and out of Chubu by 2020," enthused Mr. Odagiri, adding "If we have 20 airplanes and each of them fly six flights (three round-trips) that adds up to 120. If we can have them fly eight legs, the figure would be greater." Aircraft-movement-wise, All Nippon Airways [NH/ANA] is currently the biggest carrier at Chubu Centrair with approximately 90 daily departures and arrivals, and AirAsia Japan's (Mk II) ambition exceeds that. Their next domestic city is expected to be Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF], with all near-term domestic additions to be in Hokkaido, Tohoku (Northeastern Japan), and Kyushu, where it would not need to compete with the super-efficient Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train). For international, coastal cities of China that are already served by AirAsia Group carriers are currently being closely looked at.

Chubu Centrair is planning to restart construction of a LCC terminal, with decision to be made by the end of the year. Mr. Odagiri said "We are currently talking with airport officials about how the terminal should look like including design and features. We hope they will go ahead with it, and we plan on moving there by 2018." The original plan was shelved when the first AirAsia Japan (Mk I) [JW/WAJ] halted operations in 2013, however, demand for a LCC-dedicated facility is increasing, with not only AirAsia Japan (Mk II) but also Chinese LCC Spring Airlines [9C/CQH] building a hub at Chubu Centrair. Other LCCs serving the airport include Cebu Air [5J/CEB] (d.b.a. Cebu Pacific), Hong Kong Express Airways [UO/HKE] (d.b.a. HK Express), Jeju Air [7C/JJA], and Jetstar Japan [GK/JJP], while V Air [ZV/ZAX] is starting in December.

In terms of voting rights, the new AirAsia Japan (Mk II) is owned by AirAsia Investment 33%, Rakuten 18%, Noevir Holdings 18%, Alpen 18%, and FinTech Global Trading 13%. It was founded in July 2014 (AirAsia Japan is officially reborn; first flight June 2015.) after the original AirAsia Japan (Mk I) (CoachFlyer JW8541: NRT - FUK on AirAsia Japan's Airbus A320.) stopped flying in October 2013 when the Malaysian parent terminated the joint-venture (JV) with partner ANA Holdings due to managerial differences. With the latter controlling 66%, everything needed to have consent from ANA, whose true interest was to tame AirAsia to protect the lucrative domestic market. That company now operates as Vanilla Air [JW/VNL] (Vanilla Air launches operations.) under 100% ANA control. This time around, AirAsia Japan (Mk II) will be making decisions on its own.

Source: Aviation Wire, 2015 October 16th. (in Japanese)
Source: Nikkei Shimbun, 2015 October 16th. (in Japanese)
Source: Aviation Wire, 2015 October 16th. (in Japanese)
Source: MyNavi, 2015 October 16th. (in Japanese)
Source: Nikkei Shimbun, 2015 October 17th. (in Japanese)
Source: Yomiuri Shimbun, 2015 October 17th. (in Japanese)

Amakusa Airlines' ATR42-600 arrives in Japan.

On August 21st, Amakusa Airlines' [AHX] brand-new ATR42-600 registered JA01AM arrived at Kumamoto [KMJ/RJFT] on delivery (Amakusa Airlines chooses ATR42-600.). The Amakusa [AXJ/RJDA]-based commuter airline will replace its sole 39-seat Bombardier DHC-8-103 JA81MX Mizoka with the new 48-seat aircraft, which becomes the first of the type to be operated in Japan. It had been delivered to Nordic Aviation Capital on lease to Amakusa Airlines on August 13th.

The eight on board the delivery flight pose in front of ATR42-600 JA01AM New Mizoka at Kumamoto upon completing the long journey. (Photo: Amakusa Airlines)

The long delivery flight started from Toulouse/Blagnac [TLS/LFBO] on August 16th, making stops at Paphos [PFO/LCPH], Bahrain [BAH/OBBI], Muscat [MCT/OOMS], Malé [MLE/VRMM], Colombo/Bandaranaike [CMB/VCBI], Bangkok/Don Mueang [DMK/VTBD], and Taipei/Taoyuan [TPE/RCTP], before arriving at Kumamoto on August 21st. As JA01AM approached the Kyushu airport, it performed a low-pass in front of a crowd of enthusiasts who gathered to welcome the new turboprop, before touching down on Runway 25. A total of eight officials including pilots from ATR and Amakusa staff were on board the delivery flight.

ATR42-600 JA01AM New Mizoka at Toulouse prior to delivery. (Photo: Amakusa Airlines)

The tiny single-aircraft airline currently flies Amakusa – Fukuoka [FUK/RJFF] three times daily and Amakusa – Kumamoto – Osaka/Itami [ITM/RJOO] daily, though the latter was suspended on August 23rd to allow its pilots to start transitioning to the ATR42. Crew training is expected to start by the end of August, and the brand-new aircraft is planned to enter service sometime in January 2016. The sole DHC-8 will be retired then, retaining a single-aircraft fleet.

Amakusa Airlines is owned 53.31% by Kumamoto Prefecture, 22.92% by the City of Amakusa, 2.73% by the City of Kamiamakusa, 1.2% by Reihoku Town, among others. The small niche airline code-shares with Japan Airlines [JL/JAL] on all flights (Amakusa Airlines announces code-share with JAL.) and outsources ground handling to its partner at all of its destinations except for Amakusa, its home base. JAL affiliate Japan Air Commuter [3X/JAC] will become the second ATR42 operator in Japan in 2017 when it starts to take delivery of eight ordered to replace its Saab SF340Bs (Japan Air Commuter orders up to 23 ATR42-600s.).

Source: Amakusa Airlines @ Facebook.
Source: Aviation Wire, 2015 August 21st. (in Japanese)

Skymark's first Airbus A380 completes maiden flight.

On April 8th, Airbus announced that Skymark Airlines' (BC/SKY) first Airbus A380 had successfully completed its maiden flight from Toulouse/Blagnac (TLS/LFBO) on April 2nd. The second flight followed on the next day. It is the 162nd example to roll off the production line.

Airbus A380-841 F-WWSL/JA380A takes to the skies for the first time. (Photo: Airbus)

Wearing test registration F-WWSL, A380-841 JA380A will soon be ferried to Hamburg/Finkenwerder (XFW/EDHI) to have its interior fitted, including seats and galleys. Skymark will configure the aircraft in an all-premium 394-seat layout; 114 '170-degree angled' (near-flat) business class seats with a pitch of 152 centimeters (60 inches) and 280 premium economy seats with a pitch of 97 centimeters (38 inches).

JA380A is expected to be delivered in late August or early September, with their second to follow in October. One each will arrive in 2015 and 2016, with the fifth and sixth to be delivered in 2017. Japan's third largest carrier hopes to place the European behemoth into service on the Tokyo/Narita (NRT/RJAA) - New York/John F. Kennedy (JFK/KJFK) route in December this year, with London and Frankfurt planned for 2015 - 2016. Up to nine additional airframes may be acquired, and cities being considered include Bangkok, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Paris, Rome, Singapore, and Vancouver.

Like with their recently-delivered all-premium A330s (Skymark Airlines' first two Airbus A330s delivered.), Skymark's configuring of A380s in a similar layout is in accordance with their strategy (Skymark posts loss but optimistic with strategy tweaks.) to differentiate itself from the competition and carve out its own niche. What may seem like a dangerous bet configuring these wide-body Airbuses with all-premium seating "is logical", according to President and CEO Shinichi Nishikubo, who adds "demand for affordable premium seats is big but supply is small, both for domestic and international".

Source: FlyTeam, April 3rd. (in Japanese)

Skymark Airlines' first two Airbus A330s delivered.

On February 28th, Airbus announced that Skymark Airlines (BC/SKY) had taken delivery of its first two Airbus A330s simultaneously. The first, A330-343E JA330A, has already departed Toulouse (TLS/LFBO) and is currently on its way to Japan. It is expected to arrive at Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) in the morning of March 2nd, local time. Their second, JA330B, is expected to follow shortly.

Airbus A330-343E JA330A departs Toulouse on a test flight. (Photo: Airbus)

Seating 271 in an all-premium (akin to premium economy) 'Green Seat' configuration, Skymark's A330s are planned to enter service on the highly-competitive Haneda - Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) route on April 18th (Skymark to introduce the Airbus A330 on April 18th.). The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) issued a Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) for the Airbus A330-300 on January 22nd. Skymark, which has become the first Japanese A330 operator, will spend the next month and a half to have its staff get acquainted with the new type.

Skymark A330s' Green Seats are in seven-abreast (2-3-2) layout. (Photo: Airbus)

Its third, JA330D, is expected in July and two more will arrive by the end of 2014, while the remaining five will be delivered by September 2015 for a total of 10. Skymark plans to expand A330 operations to Okinawa/Naha (OKA/ROAH) in October and to Sapporo/New Chitose (CTS/RJCC) by April next year. Along with the all-premium Airbus A380s they will start receiving later this year, the all-premium A330s are in line with Skymark's strategy to meet the demand for low-fare premium travel (Skymark posts loss but optimistic with strategy tweaks.).

Meanwhile, Airbus has taken the opportunity to release a video clip on YouTube titled 'The making of... Skymark Airlines' first A330'. Enjoy.

Source: Aviation Wire, February 28th. (in Japanese)

Star Flyer takes 13th Airbus A320.

Star Flyer's (7G/SFJ) 13th aircraft, Airbus A320-214(SL) JA23MC, arrived at the airline's base of Kitakyushu (KKJ/RJFR) from Toulouse as flight 7G5931 on January 24th. Configured with 150 seats, 'Spirit of Kitakyushu' was handed over on January 20th. It is the fourth sharklet-equipped A320 in their fleet. Star Flyer's fleet now stands at 11, as two older A320s have already been returned to their lessors.

Airbus A320-214 JA08MC, Star Flyer's 8th aircraft, at Kitakyushu. (Photo: Aviation Wire)

In other news, Star Flyer has managed to find 26 voluntary retirements, reducing the number of employees to 660, as part of the current restructuring plan. They will also suspend all four daily Osaka/Kansai (KIX/RJBB) - Fukuoka (FUK/RJFF) round-trips after February 19th, followed by their double daily Kitakyushu - Busan/Gimhae (PUS/RKPK) route, their sole international service, after March 29th, and reduce the fleet to nine A320s. Its eight executives have taken 15-30% salary cuts. Meanwhile, the airline will start placing All Nippon Airways' (NH/ANA) code on all of its 10 Tokyo/Haneda (HND/RJTT) - Fukuoka round-trips on February 1st, as well as on all three of its new Nagoya/Chubu Centrair (NGO/RJGG) - Fukuoka flights to be launched on March 30th. Star Flyer is owned 17.26% by ANA Holdings.