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Who's Who in Low Cost Aviation
| Carrier: | Skynet Asia Airways
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| Headquarters: | JAPAN
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| Founded: | 2002
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| Destinations: | 4
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| Bases: | Tokyo
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| Owners: | Industrial Revitalisation Corporation of Japan, Mera Electric Industrial Corporation
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| Listed: | Yes
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| Online Booking: | Yes
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| Website: | http://www.skynetasia.co.jp/
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| Fleet | B737-400 6
| Overview - Skynet Asia Airways After several years of preparation, Miyazaki-based low cost airline, Skynet Asia Airways, commenced domestic services in Japan in Aug-02.
Skynet was in financial difficulty within a year of launching, under the weight of initial investment costs. In response, the airline undertook a series of unconventional marketing ploys to attract passengers. For example, it promoted flights with all-male cabin attendants in order to attract more female passengers, and began serving seasonal local sweets to passengers on a rotating basis, which became a big hit.
There were some positives: Skynet took advantage of the then-struggling Japanese economy. It actively sought pilots from bankrupt airlines, offering them a salary one-third of those paid to pilots previously working for major Japanese airlines. It also concluded a five-year lease contract for its first two B737-400s at 40% below the originally planned annual cost – and then prices of the third and fourth aircraft dropped to less than half of the initial leasing cost.
Apart from operational cost savings, the airline has been restructuring since mid-2004 under the Industrial Revitalisation Corporation of Japan (IRCJ) in an attempt to reverse its negative net worth. As part of the restructuring process, Skynet turned to ANA to provide support to assist its restructuring. The support has taken the form of maintenance and operational related services, parts supply, airport handling and sales expertise and crew training. ANA has acquired 14.99% of Skynet, while the IRCJ will retain 42%.
SNA currently operates six B737-400s between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Nagasaki and the regional cities of Kumamoto and Miyazaki.
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