AirAsia Wants Skymark?

AirAsia Seeks Control of Skymark

2014/8/19 2:00

Nikkei on August 19 reported that AirAsia, the largest low cost carrier (LCC) in Asia is now studying to support struggling Skymark, Japan’s third largest carrier, hoping to acquire management control through its equity.

Skymark, now in business slump by competing a bunch of other emerging LCCs, has enough slots at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport and flights from/to Haneda are dubbed cash-cow routes.

Skymark’s destinations from Haneda effective late-October 2014:

• Sapporo
• Fukuoka
• Naha
• Kagoshima
• Kobe
• Ishigaki

Skymark had ordered six Airbus A380s to launch international services but the carrier failed to pay for the aircraft and finally Airbus terminated the contract that may lead to cancellation fees as close as USD700 million

AirAsia with its fleet of over 150 Airbus products, is a major customer of AIrbus and has started to sound the European aircraft maker if it is possible to reduce the amount of penalty to Skymark.

Japanese civil aviation regulations stipulate that a  non-Japanese carrier cannot hold over one third of voting right; AirAsia may acquire Skymark’s capital through its own subsidiary  registered in Japan.

Shinichi Nishikubo, Skymark’s CEO and president, said ‘Skymark is still looking for its survival by itself.’  He holds about 30% of Skymark stocks.

However, if the real control of Skymark would be shifted to non-Japanese ownership, it would be unclear whether Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism would approve the same slots at Haneda for a new company.■

Skymark on August 19 denied the Nikkei reporting and stated that the company was never contacted by AirAsia.

Boeing 777. Japan's Next State Aircraft

Boeing 777-300ER Selected as Next State Aircraft, ANA Wins Service Contract

August 13, 2014

from various news sources

The government of Japan has chosen Boeing 777-300ER for the next government aircraft to be introduced from fiscal 2019 while changing government aircraft maintenance contractor to ANA from conventional JAL. An order of two Boeing large aircraft would be given by Tokyo. It was announced on August 12.

Selection of ANA is reportedly for its lower contract money and the government will award the service contract to All Nippon Airways for as long as 20 years.

Ministry of Defense allocated relevant budget of JPY 135 billion (approx. USD1.3 billion)  for the new aircraft to which JAL and ANA brought up with their proposals respectively. ANA finally won the race with JPY123 billion for a couple of aircraft, modifications, crew training as well as operations and service maintenance for twenty years from 2019.

A pair of Boeing 747-400, current official aircraft have been operational since 1993 and Japan Airlines has been the official maintenance service contractor. However, passenger 747s have been all retired at both ANA and JAL and it was said JAL would not be able to provide maintenance service for 747s after March, 2019.

777-300ER has a length of 73.9 meters with smaller cabin than 747s but better fuel efficiency of 30 percent and extended range of 14,000 kilometers, an addition of about 1,000 Km. Operations of new 777-300ERs would be based at Chitose Air Base, Hokkaido by Air Self-Defense Force as same as current fleet of 747s.

ANA Holdings issued its statement to announce its win of the state aircraft contracts saying ‘...very honorable for a Japanese carrier.’  Though the detailed terms and conditions are to be discussed later, ANA would get about JPY 2 billion from these contracts every year; it would be an attractive and stable revenue for carriers as their revenues  are susceptible to business cycle.

A Myanmar Carrier Buys 10 MRJs

An artist’s concept of Mitsubishi MRJ (Photo Mitsubishi Aircraft)

Air Mandalay, a Myanmar carrier, will acquire Mitsubishi MRJ regional jets, with an order  ten in total. This will become the first case of MRJ order out of Japanese and US carriers, and is expected to develop a momentum in sales of the aircraft in Asia where air traffic demand is growing.

Air Mandalay is a domestic carrier in Myanmar and expanding its operations thanks to more leisure travellers are heading for the country. The carrier chose MRJ for its advanced design.  Among the order of ten aircraft, four would be option.

Mitsubishi Aircraft had announced Eastern Air Lines  Group  Ltd. would order 40 MRJs on 14 July, the total order of the aircraft reaching to 365. Mitsubishi plans to fly MRJ in spring time in 2015 for the first time.

C-2 Development Delayed and Cost More

New Transport C-2 : Two More Years For Deployment As Lack of Fuselage Strength Found  

Compiled from Jiji Press 4 July and otter sources

Ministry of Defense decided to put off deployment of the new transport, originally set at the 1st quarter of 2015, for two more years later. A C-2  test aircraft failed to sustain its fuselage during pressurizing test when its cargo door came off. The ministry said on July 4 that the accident was caused by a laas stateck of strength at aft frames and the pressure concentrated on that weak portion causing its breaking off of the test aircraft. As the specifications of that part has been changed for production aircraft, this case does not call for redesign but as retesting is needed accordinng to the ministry.　

The ministry also stated that it was critically serious case and cannot help but seeing its impact on the deployment. Retesting and other processes are estimated to cost about 40 billion yen (USD 400 million )additional budget. Total cost of C-2, then, will be expanded to JPY 260 billion.

It was learned on July 5 that the Defense Ministry had requested assistance of a professor at the University of Tokyo for investigation of the true causes but the university rejected as this request was judged against the U of T principle that prohibits any ‘military work’ by the university. Defense Ministry is asking Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology that supervises all universities in Japan but Education Ministry is not expecting the university to accept defense request for autonomy of a university principle. However, the professor joined an analytical team at the Defense Ministry in his private capacity, raising a question of the effectiveness of the university’s principles.

Two XC-2s in Flight Formation

Credit: Tech. Research & Development Institute, Ministry of Defense

Too Close for Discomfort, Chinese Did It Again

from various sources

by the editor

JUNE 12, 2014

One of Su-27s  that approached too close to JSDF aircraft on June 11. (Defense Ministry)

Japan’s Defense Ministry announced that a pair of Su-27 fighters approached  at abnormally close distance in air  to

Self Defense Force ISR aircraft over East China Sea at 11a.m. and noon JST respectively. Two Japanese aircraft were OP-3C imagery information gathering of Maritime SDF and YS-11EB electronic information gathering mission of Air SDF and both aircraft were approached by Chinese fighters as close as a 30 meters. Both Chinese aircraft did not violate Japanese airspace and did not cause any damage to SDF aircraft and crew.

Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera publicly announced the incident in the evening of the same day, saying the government conveyed its message of protest to Beijing through diplomatic channel. Onodera also mentioned that  this Chinese behavior was very dangerous as it might have caused an accident. He also said that the Chinese should show more discipline.

This incident is the second attempt by Chinese since the May 24 event. As it was scheduled to convene Japan-Australia diplomatic-defense consultation in the evening of the same day, some Japanese government source showed a view that Chinese had tried its move against Tokyo.

According to Defense Ministry, the incident occurred at airspace 300 km north of Senkaku Islands, Okinawa where Air Defense Identification Zones of Japan and China overlap and close to the intermediate line between the two countries.

The two SDF planes allegedly were in surveillance mission to monitor military activities of Chinese forces. The Chinese fighters, carrying air-to-air missiles, did not try to warn by radio.

In May 29, China claimed that a Chinese air force plane had been chased by Japanese military aircraft at as close as 10 meters in November 2013. Defense Minister Onodera immediately responded to this claim saying there was no such a fact.

China is seemingly trying to make their self-imposed ADIZ as an accomplished fact by repeating scrambles.■

★New Engine for Future Fighter Development in Progress

Ground Test of Engine for Advanced Fighter Underway

June 4, 2014

compiled from press release of Technical Research and Development Institute as well as other reporting

National Institute for Defense Studies, a division of Technical Research  and Development Institute, the Ministry of Defense is conducting functional test of XF5-1 a demonstration engine for forthcoming advanced technological demonstrator-X (ATD-X). The engine weighs 644 Kg  or 1,420 lb with thrust power of about 5 tons (11,200 lb).

As the first indigenous low-bypass turbofan engine with afterburner, XF5-1 achieves world’s top class in weight-thrust ratio.

The proving test is being conducted in Sapporo, Hokkaido, by simulating various air flow situations at altitudes and speeds to confirm constant and transient performances as well as restart in air.

The tests are to achieve first flight of ATD-X; its development will be completed in 2016 with flight testing by Air Self Defense Force.

XF5-1 mounted on high altitude performance test bed

(Photo: Technical Research  and Development Institute, Ministry of Defense)

XF5-1’s afterburner in work

(Photo: Technical Research  and Development Institute, Ministry of Defense)

Chinese Fighters Flew Too Close to Japan Self Defense Force Aircraft on East China Sea

Chinese Fighter Aircraft Scrambled to Japan’s Self Defense Force Aircraft over East China Sea

compiled from Kyodo, Asahi Shimbun and NHK reporting

25 May 2014 by the editor

Su-27 fighter photographed by Ministry of Defense on May 24

Japan’s Defense Ministry announced two aircraft of its Defense Forces flying over East China Sea were approached by Chinese fighter aircraft up to tens of meters. The Ministry said the site of this unusual encounter took place at overlapping areas of Air Defense Identification Zones installed by Tokyo and Beijing respectively and .the Japanese aircraft did not violate Chinese airspace.

The Ministry said two Su-27 armed with white, or live, missiles approached to Maritime Self-Defense Force OP-3C, imagery information gathering aircraft around 1100hrs local  and to Air Self Defense Force YS-11EB, electronic reconnaissance plane at around 1200 hrs on May 24. One of the Chinese fighters flew as close as  50 meters to OP-3C and 30 meters to YS-11EB.

Defense  Minister Itsunori Onodera issued a comment that it was a dangerous act of flying by Chinese aircraft that might have led to an accidental trouble. Onodera also said the crew of Japanese planes could see live missiles under the wings of the Chinese fighters and feel ‘a certain tension’ to continue their flights. Tokyo has protested to Beijing through its diplomatic mission in Japan.

The two Japanese aircraft were flying to monitor an on-going naval exercise between Chinese and Russian navies.

Su-27s came from behind two Japanese aircraft respectively. Japanese Defense Ministry revealed that the Chinese did not transmit any radio warning.

In the mean time, the Chinese Defense Department said on May 25 that the Japanese military aircraft were trying to ‘monitor and interrupt’ Sino-Russo joint naval exercise and China dispatched its aircraft for identification  and preventive measures as the Japanese aircraft had entered in Air Defence Identification Zone.■

777 Likely As The Next Govt Planes

Government Likely to Pick Boeing 777 as the Next Official Aircraft, Weighing Japan-US Alliance More

Monday April 21,2014 from Sankei Shimbun

Sankei Shimbun reported that the government of Japan is the final stage of procedures to introduce Boeing 777 as the replacement of Boeing 747 fleet for the next government official aircraft. The new aircraft will be delivered in fiscal 2019. Tokyo intends to show its commitment for stronger alliance with Washington by rejecting other choices including larger aircraft by Airbus.

Since last year, relevant government branches including the Cabinet Secretariat, Defense Ministry and Air Self Defence Force were studying the selection and reached to a final selection based on flight range, fuel efficiency, safety and overall flight records. The report says it will be coming summer when the Tokyo government will announce the introduction formally.

Boeing’s other aircraft, 787, was not selected as the aircraft cannot provide with needed space for PM’s working office and the attendants. Airbus A350 will be able to fly nonstop to the eastern coast of US but 777 was selected as made in US product as a symbol of Japan-US alliance.

The report does not tell how many aircraft will be introduced but the government has appropriated a budget of JPY 135.5 billion (about USD 1.3 billion) as expenses for introduction of the next government aircraft for fiscal 2014 budget.■

Japan Watches Rise of Russian Air Operations Around its Homeland

Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense has issued a series of press releases dealing with flights of Russian aircraft near Japanese airspace in this month, showing more active operations of Russian ISR.

April 16: Russian Il-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft flying on the Sea of Japan. (Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense picture)

April 16---A couple of Russian IL-20 electronic reconnaissance aircraft flew the Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean routes separately and Japan responded by scrambling of its Air Self Defense Force fighters. One of them reached closer to the Kanto region where Tokyo and central functions of Japan’s political and economical activities are concentrated flying southern course from the northern territory. Another example flew between Takeshima and Oki Islands at the Sea of Japan side to the Korean peninsula and then changed its course to the north.

April 15----A total of six Russian  aircraft were detected flying around Japanese homeland.

April 14---Four Russian aircraft flew around Japan.

April 13---A Russian Il-20 entered Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and responded by scrambling of Air Self Defense Force’s interceptors. Defense Ministry said the aircraft flew on the Sea of Japan and headed for north from the west of Hokkaido island.

April 7---Two Tu-142 patrol aircraft were found flying on the Sea of Japan and Japan launched its fighters.

April 5--- Two Il-38 maritime patrol aircraft were detected and Air Self Defense Force scrambled its fighter jets.

The Defense Ministry is closely watching Russian air operations as its air force has intensified its operations after North Korea launched intermediate ballistic missiles on 26 March.

April 7: Tu-142 patrol aircraft flying on the Sea of Japan. (Joint Staff Office, the Ministry of Defense)

April 5: Russian Il-38 found over the Sea of Japan. (Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense picture)

Mistubishi Heavy Is Serious to Commit to MRJ Full Production

MRJ: Mitsubishi Getting Ready for Series Production With New Plants Nearby Nagoya Airport

from SankeiBiz and various sources 2014/2/13

Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, majority stockholder of Mitsubishi Aircraft, announced its readiness to undertake full-fledged production of Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRj) due to fly in 2015.  The plans include construction of a new plant for final assembly nearby Nagoya Airport, Aichi as well as new manufacturing facilities in its existing plants such as its Kobe Shipyard, Hyogo and Matsuzaka Plant, Mie.

1. At Kobe Shipyard, its excess space after withdrawing from commercial vessel building would be turned into production assembly line of its wings, wing box, skin surface treatment and painting. Matsuzaka Plant which used to produce car air conditioners would be assigned to produce MR J's tail wings. Mitsubishi’s plants in Aichi is busy with projects for Boeing 787 and the company plans to utilize other available plants out of Aichi.
2. Fuselage and wings assembly would take place at Tobishima Plant, Aichi; a new plant for final assembly would be erected nearby Komaki South Plant which is adjacent to Nagoya Airport and currently engaging in assembly work of prototype aircraft.
3. Flight testing would use both Nagoya Airport and Kitakyushu Airport, Fukuoka.
4. MRJ, developed by Mitsubishi Aircraft would be produced by Mitsubishi Heavy: first flight is being planned in the second quarter of 2015 and the first delivery in the second quarter of 2017 to its launch customer All Nippon Airways. Its backlog is more than 300 now and Mitsubishi wishes to get more orders with full-fledged production capabilities. Mitsubishi has not got any new order in the past year as potential customers could not be convinced of MRJ production capacity.
5. Regional jet market has a big potential as airliners need to replace their aging aircraft and Mitsubishi wants to get a good share of the pie.

Global Hawk Watches Threats from China by Japan-US Joint Operations

Japan shares Global Hawk ISR mission data with US to counter Chinese Military Demonstration

from Sankei Shimbun 2013.12.2 08:02

Japanese and U.S. governments are working jointly to share the information gathered by RQ-4 Global Hawks operated by the two countries  assuming the Japanese Air Self-defense Force will introduce the unmanned ISR platform.

1. The two country’s air forces will share infrastructure to maintain the aircraft in Japan possibly at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan.  This is an attempt to increase air surveillance capability to Chinese aircraft and ships as they are intensifying explicit demonstrations of power over the East China Sea as shown by setting up their Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over disputed area.
2. Japanese Defense Ministry is requesting JPY 200 million for study of the aircraft in FY 2014 budget proposal and will introduce Global Hawks in fiscal 2015.
3. As China is insisting to set up another ADIZ in South China Sea as well, Washington and Tokyo have judged it is imperative to share more information in order to respond to any provocation by keeping constant watch of air/sea areas in East and South China Seas by Global Hawks.
4. Ground stations for Global Hawks call for high-level technologies for processing and analysis of huge amount of data received using the equipment are highly classified. JASDF will depend on U.S. counterpart for data processing and analysis via satellites at the start, meaning information gathered by Japan would be processed by U.S. ground stations, while, in return, Japan will ask U.S. to share information gathered by U.S. by the standard of fairness.
5. USAF will move one of three RQ-4s stationed in Andersen Air Base to Misawa Air Base  in spring time of 2014 temporarily; this particular airframe will be assigned to ISR missions in East China Sea including Senkaku Islands.

ANA Gets More New Slots at Haneda Next Year

   

Dispute over Who Gets More International Flight Slots at Expanded Haneda:

Gov’t Decision in Favor of ANA

All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Tokyo Haneda Int’l Airport   

October 2, 2013, various sources

Sankei Shimbun reported today as follows: For allocation of newly available slots for international flights at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport, which is due to complete a new expansion project by the end of March, 2014, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is allegedly giving more slots to ANA than JAL.

Newly available are designated for international arrival/departure slots during ‘daytime’ i.e. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the gateway to Tokyo city center and MILT is going to allocate a total of 16 slots to Japanese carriers. These slots are supposed to be used for European trunk lines as well as shorter routes for Asian destinations including China and Indonesia. Allegedly ANA will be given around 10 slots at the final stage of coordination by MILT.

International slots are known for high profitability and it is said a daytime slot can generate annual revenues of about 10 billion yen (100 million U.S. dollars).  ANA has been claiming that the airliner deserves to receive more slots than Japan Airlines that was rescued by public funding from its bankruptcy. and the gap of corporate performance was artificially widened between the two carriers  JAL reacted to this ANA’s request by saying ‘a fair competition calls for an equal distribution of the slots.’

MLIT, on the other hand, has judged that ‘awarding of an official support should not distort a competitive environment into an inappropriate manner’ and will permit ANA to get two slots for German destinations and one slot for Canadian destination to ANA.. Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported ANA will receive 11 slots and JAL will get 5 slots