Sunday, March 2, 2014

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)

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