News
Skymark eyes $13 million profit, JAL upgrades services
April 1st 2016
"In light of the fact that we have performed the additional (final) repayment of the rehabilitation claims and are expected to eventually complete the repayment of all rehabilitation claims, the Tokyo District Court issued an order revoking the supervision order and closing the rehabilitation proceedings for Skymark today," Skymark Airlines said on Monday. Read More »
Skymark has used bankruptcy protection to restructure its operations and streamline its fleet to 26 B737-800s serving nine domestic destinations from its Fukuoka, Kobe, and Haneda bases.
Surprisingly, the LCC said it expects a 1.5 billion yen ($13.35 million) operating profit for the past financial year ended yesterday, March 31. Skymark, now under minor-stake-control from All Nippon Airways (ANA), plans a return to the stock market by 2020. It also wants to resume international operations after shoring up new cash reserves.
In other Japan updates, ANA has said it will halt its Narita-Brussels service until at least April 10 after suicide bombers last week blew themselves up at the Belgian capital airport.
Over at Japan Airlines (JAL), the flag carrier continues upgrading its services. On Wednesday, JAL opened its newly-renovated “The Dining” at the international flagship Sakura Lounge at Narita Airport. Last week, the airline announced upgraded cabin products for its eleven B777-200ERs from July. Overall capacity will be reduced, as the retrofitted frames will only sport 236 seats, as compared to 245 and 312 that it currently offers. There will be 42 seats in business (now full-flat 1-2-1), 40 in premium economy and 154 in economy. The new cabin will debut on the Haneda–Bangkok route, before being rolled out on flights between Haneda and Singapore, as well as Honolulu.
