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.

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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.