Japanese low-cost Skymark intends to buy 4 A380s

[sn26567]

Skymark Airlines signs LoI for 4 A380 for US/Europe service

Japan’s low-cost carrier Skymark Airlines today (08NOV10) signed Letter of Intent with Airbus for order of 4 Airbus A380 and 2 on option. Delivery to begin from 2014 for International service, becoming Japan’s first A380 operator. It is expected the LoI to be finalized as firm order by Spring 2011.

According to late-breaking news report from Japan’s travel press Wing Daily, the low-cost carrier is to operate Airbus A380 on long-haul service to Europe and US. The airline is currently studying possible configuration.

Last week, the airline revealed its plan to operate service out of Tokyo Narita airport by Fall 2011, but mainly focus on Domestic feeder service. International service is under review but not happening until domestic routes are launched, where it holds 28 weekly flight rights. Interim plan by 2012 is to see the airline operating 25 Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Source: airlineroute.net

Finally a Japanese breakthrough for Airbus! But not from one of the majors. Anyway, a landmark in Japanese aviation.

In Japanese anyone? 【特報】★スカイマーク（SKY）がエアバスA380導入を決定した。6機のA380の導入決定の基本合意書に同意した。6機のうち2機はオプション契約。2014年度を目途に成田−欧米線への投入を検討。日本の航空会社でA380導入はSKYが初めて

[sn26567]

Skymark Airlines Outlines Planned Airbus A380 Operation

Japan’s Skymark Airlines on Friday 12NOV10 provided further details regarding its Airbus A380 information on configurations and routes, which the airline signed Letter of Intent last week for 4 firm orders and 2 on options.

Fleet Size
By 2017, 6 A380 in service
Beyond 2018, the airline plans to order additional 9 aircraft, totals 15

Planned delivery: 2 in 2014, 1 each in 2015 and 2016, 2 in 2017

Planned Routes
Initial long-haul destinations in 2014: London, Frankfurt and New York
Beyond 2014: Paris, Rome, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver, Singapore, Bangkok, Melbourne

Configuration
Business Class 114 Seats, near lie-flat seat (170 degrees), 60″ seat pitch
Premium Economy 280 Seats, 38″ seat pitch
Total 394 Seats only!

Source: airlineroute.net

How can a low-cost airline offer such a low-density configuration?

[luchtzak]

How can a low-cost airline offer such a low-density configuration?

I was asking myself the same question the moment I read the topic title !

[LJ]

How can a low-cost airline offer such a low-density configuration?

I was asking myself the same question the moment I read the topic title !

The cost of flying an A380 isn't twice the cost of flying a 787, 777 or 747. Given the fact that the A380 has much more floor space than the other aircraft you thus have the possibility to offer a very low density configuration for the same cost per seat. The only challenge is that though you have a lower cost per seat, you still need to sell the seats. Therefore the market you want to serve must be able to sustain the capacity you offer. Skymark has the advantage that it is located in one of the highest premium markets in the world (if you look at the configurations NH and JL use on their 77W and the fact that both AF and LH use the A380, you'll see that they offer many C class and Y+ class seats). Therefore it can offer 114C + 280Y+ (or 140C and 224Y+, one of these is correct) against the cost price which is equal to operating a 777-300ER (what Skymark Japanese competitors do). Furthermore, in the process you attack your competitors (JL and NH) where it hurts most, namely on their premium product. Given the fact that Skymark will probably be able to undercut both JL and NH, I think we get a very interesting battle on the routes they intend to serve.

Another plus for Skymark is that frequency isn 't a big issue on long haul to Japan. There are few options given the time difference between Japan and Europe/US. If frequency is important (for example Europe - US) this strategy won't work so well (also a reason why EOS and Maxjet failed).

[sn26567]

According to French newspaper Le Figaro, Skymark Airlines will confirm the order of six A380s tomorrow (16Feb) at a signature ceremony in Toulouse.

[theeuropean]

Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to have Skymark come to BRU with the A380 a la ryanair with 2-3 weekly frequencies

Although that won't happen

[Megaman]

Or to CRL once the runway is extended

[earthman]

To ANR, no doubt.

[DeltaWiskey]

ANS? Peru?

[Boeing767copilot]

EADS/Airbus: Skymark Airlines of Japan confirms order for four A380s

[earthman]

ANS? Peru?

There, I fixed it