Skymark Airlines confirms order for four A380s

Skymark Airlines signed (19-Feb-2011) a contract on 17-Feb-2011 for four A380s with Airbus, firming up a MoU announced in Nov-2010. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2014 and will be deployed on international routes. The carrier will use the aircraft to operate its international passenger services linking Tokyo Narita Airport and New York, London and Frankfurt, scheduled for launch around the fiscal year ending Mar-2015 (AFP, 19-Feb-2011). Following the announcement, total firm orders for the A380 stand at 244 from 19 customers worldwide and 43 aircraft have been delivered to five customers. Skymark CEO Shinichi Nishikubo stated the carrier also considered purchasing B777 equipment but opted for the A380 as it was more efficient (Bloomberg, 18-Feb-2011). [more]