B., 5th Floor, 2-9-23 Shinjoku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan; Phone (3) 53 79 07 39; Fax (3) 53 79 07 68; Http://www. skymark. co. jp; Code BC; Year Founded 1996. Established by entrepreneur Sawada Hideo and his discount travel agency HIS Company, Ltd. and the finance corporation Orix at Tokyo in November 1996, Skymark prepares to participate in the partial deregulation of Japan’s airline industry and to take advantage of new slots that are to be opened at Haneda Airport. With $700,000 in initial capitalization, HIS Company owns a 58.7% stake; Orix Corporation has 6.7% shareholding. Hideo announces that, within 5 years, his staff will grow from an initial 10 employees to 200 and via a public flotation, capital will be increased to $50 million.
In mid-April 1997, Seiji Fukatsu, president of All Nippon Airways Company, Ltd., announces that his carrier has signed a technical assistance contract with Skymark. Under its terms, the major will assist the new entrant in its acquisition of aircraft and in gaining operating authority from the Ministry of Transport.
A Japanese language site will be opened on the World Wide Web late in the year.
After a lengthy gestation period, the company is licensed on July 31, 1998; it is the first independent Japanese to achieve operating authority since Nagasaki Airlines Company, Ltd. in 1963. It will employ 11 retired pilots from Japan Air Lines Company, Ltd. (2) and All-Nippon Airways Company, Ltd. (ANA).
A Boeing 767-3Q8ER is chartered from ILFC and All-Nippon Airways Company, Ltd. (ANA) has agrees to provide maintenance support for it. The ship arrives painted in an all-white fuselage without titles and a navy blue tail that bears a yellow representation of the constellation Cygnus, the swan.
The new plane is repainted and unveiled to the public on August 27 as a “logojet,” bearing advertising for the satellite programming of DIRECTV.
Skymark announces plans to inaugurate thrice-daily deep-discount roundtrips on September 12 between Tokyo (HND) and Fukuoka. The opening day must be postponed for a week, as all final arrangements can not be completed in time.
The inaugural one-way fare over the route is ? 13,700 ($97), about one-half the tariffs charged by Japan’s major carriers. They promise to match the rate, thereby bringing on a limited fare war in a nation where ticket prices have always been heavily regulated. Tickets for the September 19 first flight are snapped up within 20 minutes of their being placed on sale.
Successful service is operated during the remainder of the year. On November 17, executives announce that, beginning in March, two new routes will be offered linking Osaka (KIX) with Fukuoka and Sapporo. They will be operated with a second B-767-3Q8ER.
President Kichisaburo Nomura of All-Nippon Airways Company, Ltd. tells a news conference on December 17 that ANA lost 18,000 passengers to Skymark in October and 20,000 in November. Although he is reluctant to cut fares on the Skymark route from Tokyo (HND) to Fukuoka due to the revenue costs that would occur, Nomura indicates that such a move may be necessary after the first of the year.
The Singapore Shipping Times reports on December 22 that Japan Air Lines Company, Ltd. (2) will follow the lead of ANA in March and reduce its fares by half on 13 out of 24 daily roundtrips between Tokyo (HND) and Fukuoka.
Skymark, on February 1, 1999, seeks approval from the Ministry of Transport to offer scheduled flights from Osaka to both Sapporo and Fukuoka on or before April 24. The company’s second ILFC B-767-3Q8ER arrives at the beginning of March wearing colors that honor the Microsoft Corporation.
It is reported by Nekkei America on March 16 that the counteroffensive by its rivals has caused the discount airline to hit a rough patch in its so-far smooth sky and a decrease in profitability. Still, this is expected to pass after the airline begins flying two new routes awarded to it by the Transport Ministry on March 31, Osaka to Sapporo and Osaka to Fukuoka.
Daily Osaka to Sapporo roundtrips commence on April 24, along with twice-daily Osaka to Fukuoka return service. Company officials announce that planning is underway for the possible launch of overseas charters from Osaka in the year 2000.
The price of a one-way ticket on the Tokyo-Fukuoka route is increased on July 1 from ? 13,700 to ? 16,000.
Although traffic figures are unavailable, revenues of $87 million are generated. Unhappily, a $40.9-million net loss is suffered.
On January 5, 2000, company officials reveal plans to initiate international charter flights to Guam and Seoul within 15 months. On March 24, the new Yahoo Japan color scheme is unveiled on the carrier’s premier B-767-3Q8ER; it replaces the one introduced 18 months earlier sponsoring DIRECTV. Two days later, the Yahoo plane returns to revenue service, flying the route from Tokyo (HND) to Fukuoka.
An initial public offering is successfully completed during June, raising ?750 million ($7.5 million). The new funds are earmarked for pilot training and improvements at the carrier’s Tokyo (HND) facilities.
In early July, service from Osaka to Bukuoka and Sapporo is discontinued in order that the jetliners employed may be employed to double the Tokyo (HND) to Fukuoka route to six daily roundtrips.
The second “logojet” B-767-3Q8ER is repainted during late summer. When it returns to service on the Tokyo (HND) to Fukuoka route on September 29, it sports a paint scheme advertising the Japanese telecommunications and mobile telephone company J-Phone.
SKYMASTER: United States (1990-1995). Skymaster is founded by Luke A. Smith at Gilford, New Hampshire, in 1990. A fleet of 2 Beech 99s, 1 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, and 1 Cessna 172 is assembled and employed to inaugurate scheduled third-level service linking the company’s base with Keene and Laconia plus Rutland in Vermont, Boston, and Newark.
By 1992, revenues total $14.3 million and the net profit is $1.88 million. In 1993, airline employment stands at 37. One Beech 99 is withdrawn in 1994. The move is prelude to complete shutdown in 1995.
SKYPOL, S. A.: Aleja Krakowska 110/114, Warsawa, Pl-00971, Poland; Phone 48 (22) 466 345; Fax 48 (22) 465 479; Code PZL; Year Founded 1994. Skypol is set up as an air taxi and commuter at Warsaw in 1994. Revenue flights commence under the direction of Manager Zdzislaw Jabtoriski with 2 Fairchild-Swearingen SA.227 Metro IIIs. It is understood that flights continue during the remainder of the decade, although exact operational information is unavailable.
SKYPORT (PTY.), LTD.: Australia (1991-1993). Skyport is established at Alice Springs, Northern Territories, in 1991 to offer both scheduled and nonscheduled third-level flights to Darwin via Katherine, Tennant Creek, Groote Eylands, Borroloola, Victoria River, Downs, and Hooker Creek. President Roger Leach’s three Cessna 402s largely replace the service of Ansett N. T. (Ansett Airlines of the Northern Territory [Pty.], Ltd.).
The fleet in 1992 is increased by the addition of a fourth Cessna 402 and a Cessna 441.
Unhappily, the carrier is unable to achieve economic viability and shuts its doors in 1993.
SKYPOWER EXPRESS AIRWAYS, LTD.: P. O. Box 54110, Falomo, Lagos, Nigeria; Phone 234 (1) 269-3275; Fax 234 (1) 2693253; Code EAN; Year Founded 1995. Capt. Mohammad Joji sets up Skypower at Lagos in 1985 to offer third-level scheduled and charter passenger flights. Revenue services duly commence with a fleet of 5 Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirantes.
Frequencies are continued in 1986-1997, as the company becomes a subsidiary of Nigeria Airways, Ltd. In exchange for marketing, reservations, and ground-handling assistance as well as subsidy, the company provides feed to the flag carrier as Express Airways Nigeria.
Having arrived at Yola from Jos on charter on January 31 of the latter year, an EMB-110P1 with 3 crew and 13 passengers is forced to circle for an hour because of bad weather; its fuel exhausted, the Embraer crashes 700 m. short of the runway (five dead).
Service continues during the remainder of the year and in 1998-1999. On January 5 of the latter year, another EMB-110P1 with 3 crew and 15 passengers stalls during its turn onto final approach to Abuja International Airport. The turboprop hits the ground and comes to rest short of the runway, killing one person on the ground.
While en route on March 17, 2000, the crew of a Bandeirante suffers engine problems and elects to divert to Kaunda Airport. A safe gears-up emergency forced landing is made some 600 m. short of the runway. This year, there are no fatalities.
SKYROVER, LTD.: United Kingdom (1989-1990). The third-level Skyrover is established in late spring 1989 to provide scheduled regional passenger flights. Initial roundtrip revenue service is inaugurated over a single route to Dusseldorf with a single Embraer EMB-110P Bandeirante. In the fall, the Brazilian-made turboprop is replaced with a Shorts 330.
Unable to maintain fiscal viability during the slow winter season, the third-level commuter shuts down in early 1990.
SKYSERVICE AIRLINES, LTD.: 9785 Ryan Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H9P 1A2, Canada; Phone (514) 636-1626; Fax (514) 6363300; Http://www. skyservice. com; Code SS; Year Founded 1986.
Skyservice, Ltd. is established at Montreal (YUL) in 1986 to provide passenger and cargo charter services throughout Canada and the U. S. Dennis Crabtree is named chairman of the board, with Richard J. Nelson as president/CEO. Operations commence with 1 Cessna Citation III, and 1 Gulfstream I, and 4 Learjet 35s.
Nonscheduled flights continue throughout the remainder of the decade and into the next. Skyservice Aircraft Management Services manages several executive aircraft for corporate clients at both Montreal and Toronto.
Two Airbus Industrie A320-212s are chartered from Monarch Airlines, Ltd. on October 12, 1995 and are employed, beginning on November 4, to offer inclusive-tour services from Toronto and Montreal to destinations in the United Kingdom. Also for the winter season, two more A320-231s and an A320-232 are also leased from other sources and are employed to provide inclusive-tour flights to Caribbean and Central American destinations. The company’s tour operator clients include Sunquest Vacations and ALBATours.
When the winter season ends in March 1996, the Monarch narrow-bodies are returned, along with the two additional A320-231s. Summer services to Florida and the Caribbean are flown with the A320-232.
Skyservice Executive Aircraft Charter continues to operate executive aircraft services, employing 1 each Learjet, Citation III, Gulfstream I, and Hawker 125.
In late summer, Monarch Airlines, Ltd. subleases a pair of A320-231s to the company. Winter holiday flights resume in October and orders are placed with ILFC for an A330-300.
A new color scheme is introduced in February 1997. During the week of February 24, Skyservice in-flight personnel complete extensive CPR training. Automatic external defibrillators (AED) are placed aboard the company’s fleet by March 17 and Skyservice now becomes the first Canadian air carrier to be fully outfitted with AEDs.
At the end of March, the Monarch Airlines, Ltd. planes go off lease and the cyclical summer frequencies to the lower U. S. resume. Formerly flown by LTU (Lufttransport Unternehmen, K. G.), the chartered A330-322 arrives at the carrier’s Montreal base on May 7 wearing titles that read “First A330 in North America.” Two days later, the carrier places its new aircraft into revenue service on a charter to Barcelona. As the summer wears on, the plane is promoted on flights to previously served European destinations. In addition, the aircraft is shown off on charters to Aruba and Las Vegas.
In October, holiday flights to Europe under the winter schedule begin again. A leased company A320-212 flies a subservice for Allegro Air, S. A. de C. V., which is operating charters on behalf of Sun Trips, a unit of Sunquest Vacations.
The two Monarch A320-231s are leased again for the winter holiday season. On November 4, one Monarch at Vancouver and the other at Edmonton are employed to initiate passenger charters to destinations in Mexico, Nevada, and the Caribbean.
In early June 1998, a B-727-231 begins wet-lease operations on behalf of Sport Hawk International Airlines, Ltd., a new Canadian charter concern. Specializing in sports-only flights, Toronto-based Sport Hawk secures contracts from the Toronto Blue Jays MLB team and the Toronto Raptors. The latter is the local NBA professional basketball team previously flown by Air Canada, Ltd. A contract will also be inked with the NHL professional hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In an effort to rescue people stranded by the September 2 pilots’ strike, Air Canada, Ltd. wet-leases aircraft from Skyservice and three other Canadian carriers to move people over the next week stuck in the midst of journeys.
In early fall, the Sport Hawk trijet is briefly repainted in an attractive blue and white livery displayed in a television commercial on behalf of Labatt Blue beer.
On May 31, 2000, Chairman/CEO Russel Payson announces that a new, but as yet unnamed, full-service airline subsidiary will begin Airbus operations in November. On June 7, the company reveals the name of its new derivative, Roots Air, Ltd. The moniker comes as the result of a marketing and branding alliance with Roots Canada, Ltd. The new entrant’s business plan will, reminiscent of MGM Grand Air, attempt to lure high-paying customers with additional amenities.
The carrier’s A330-322 is leased to Airtours International Airlines, Ltd. on October 20 for the winter season, through February. In return, Airtours charters an A320-200 to Skyservice through April.
An A320-212 is also subchartered from Monarch Airlines, Ltd. in October for the Canadian line’s winter holiday schedule. It is delivered in Monarch colors with Skyservice titles.
Plans continue during the fourth quarter for the launch of the subsidiary airline Roots Air, Ltd. early in the new year. On November 23, an A320-232 is chartered for Roots Air from Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE); it will be delivered in March 2001. A B-737-214 is tasked to provide backup.
Its marketing plan a fiasco, the new Roots Air, Ltd. is forced to shutdown on May 4, 2001, just 40 days after beginning operations. the fiscal pressure caused by this disaster upon Skyservice Airlines will be so intense that it will be forced to sell a 50% voting and 35% non-voting stake in itself to Air Canada, Ltd. for less than C$15 million and become the major’s low-fare carrier effective July 1.
SKYSERVICE EXECUTIVE AIRCRAFT CHARTER. See SKY-SERVICE, LTD.
SKYSERVICE USA. See RYAN INTERNATIONALAIRLINES
SKYSTAR INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: United States (19831987). Skystar International is established at Washington, New Jersey, in 1983 to provide inclusive-tour flights to such Catholic shrines as Lourdes, Fatima, Rome, and Mount St. Anne in Quebec on behalf of the religious group Blue Army and the specialty-oriented travel agency Fatima Travel. As the result of questions raised concerning its management and travel club membership, an original application for certification is rejected. Initial flights are operated by Jet 24 International Airlines under contract.
Operations continue apace with a wet-leased Boeing 707 Stratoliner named Queen of Peace and in late 1984 authority is received to provide regular commercial charters.
Enplanements in 1985 total 107,000 and revenues reach $11.7 million. An operating loss of $2.2 million is suffered.
In 1986, the company, which has by now acquired five other Strato-liners, is in a position to offer charters to secular destinations, a number as subcontracts for other airlines.
Late in the year, the government grants Skystar its own scheduled route, from Boston to Fort Lauderdale via Philadelphia. It will not be operated, however, as in January 1987 the company is ordered grounded for maintenance and safety problems. Rather than go through the difficulties of restarting, the company elects to shut down and liquidate its assets.
SKYSTREAM AIRLINES: United States (1973-1980). Cecil Pond establishes Skystream at Plymouth, Indiana, in the late fall of 1973 to provide daily scheduled passenger services to Detroit via Indianapolis and South Bend. Beech 99 roundtrips commence on November 15 and after the routes of Hub Airlines are purchased, flights begin to Chicago’s Meigs Field.
Skystream purchases Great Lakes Commuter in April 1974, taking over its frequencies to Flint, Traverse City, and other Michigan communities. Services are suspended during the first quarter of 1975; however, once they are resumed, they are maintained without incident until June 9, 1979, when a Beech 99 crashes coming into Chicago. Services halt on April 14, 1980.
SKYTEAM ALLIANCE. See AEROMEXICO (2), S. A. de C. V.; AIR FRANCE; CZECH AIR; DELTAAIR LINES; KOREAN AIR (KAL)
SKYTEAM LUFTFAHRTUNTERMEHMEN, GmbH.: Kleiner Ko-rnweg 26-28, Keisterbach, 65451, Germany; Phone 49 (6107) 7700; Fax 49 (6107) 7700 9; Http://www. sky-team. com; Code XsT; Year Founded 1997. This specialist carrier is established at Keisterbach by Managing Director Manfred Nimfuehr and three other investors in October 1997. With their backgrounds in special aviation activities, the four hope to provide a unique nonscheduled airline service catering to such activities as VIP transport, search and rescue, flight-seeing, and movie filming, as well as public small-group passenger and cargo charters.
A fleet of three Fokker F.27-500s is assembled, together with a workforce of 37. Revenue flights, from a base at Frankfurt begin in April 1998 and continue.
SKYTECH AVIATION, LTD.: RR #3, Orillia, Ontario L3V 6H3, Canada; Phone (705) 689-8051; Fax (705) 689-8087; Year Founded 1968. Skytech is established at Orillia in 1968 to provide helicopter aerial taxi services. In 2000, President Michael Fleming employs 8 workers and operates 2 each Bell 206B JetRangers and Bell 206L LongRangers.
SKYTECH HELICOPTER SERVICE, S. A.: Rue d’Anogrune 138, Lasne, B-1380, Belgium; Phone 32 (2) 633-5890; Fax 32 (2) 6335884; Year Founded 1989. Skytech is established by Thierry
Lakhanisky and Lucienne de Dryer at Lasne, Belgium, in 1989 as a consulting company that markets the Agusta A109 to local concerns. In 1990, the company joins with the Brussels-based FBO Temco to serve as European distributor and sales agent for Rostvertol, manufacturer of the Soviet Union’s Mil helicopter. As it had for the Italian aircraft, Skytech agrees to find jobs for Russian helicopters that Temco, in turn, would maintain.
Under the direction of Executive Vice President De Dryver, Skytech also develops a relationship in 1991-1992 with the former Aeroflot Soviet Airlines division Ukhta Air Stewardship (also known as Ukhta State Enterprise), a helicopter operator that is attempting to introduce Russian helicopters to the West. After Temco goes bankrupt, Skytech elects to not only market but also to maintain any Soviet helicopters it can place.
Under a five-year contract, Skytech now acquires a fleet of 2 Mi-8AMTs and 1 Mi-10 under lease from USE. All are employed on heavy-lift charters in Europe and around the world.
A giant Mi-26T is chartered in 1993. Two Kamov Ka-32Cs are leased and sent to Papua New Guinea where they are operated by the local carrier Heli Niugini in support of the Kutubu oil field project.
During the spring of 1994, the carrier leases its two Russian-made Mil Mi-8AMT helicopters for three years to Nepal Airways, Ltd. The rotary-wing aircraft are delivered to Katmandu by an Antonov An-124 under lease to Heavylift Airlines, Ltd. and enter service on September 15. With Skytech maintenance and training support, the Mi-8s undertake not only high-altitude passenger transport, but construction work and food-transport missions as well.
In December, the Mi-26T is engaged in a spectacular 3-day airlift of 7 industrial silos from Hallein to Linz, a distance of 93 miles. Each of the 30,870-lb. structures, too large for ground transport, are released into Linz Harbor, from whence they are transport to Belgium by barge.
Early in 1995, a French concern based in Guyana leases the Mi-26T to support the activities of a Canadian gold-mining project. The helicopter is delivered by ship to Martinique and then flown to Guyana, where it becomes the first Russian-made heavy lift helicopter to operate in the Americas.
Upon completion of the Mi-26T’s Guyana services in late March, it is sent on a demonstration tour of Latin America and Canada. A second machine is, meanwhile, leased and dispatched to Central America in April. When it is grounded by mechanical difficulties, Skytech quickly arranges for spare parts delivery. Within a day, an Aeroflot Russian International Airlines (ARIA) aircraft has delivered the needed parts to Brussels from Moscow and an Air France plane takes them on to Guyana.
During the year, two Mi-8SMTVs join the two Mi-8s already in Nepal Airways, Ltd. service. In addition, an Mi-8AMT, equipped as a flying studio, is employed by a French television crew filming in Ethiopia.
By 1996, the fleet has come to comprise 1 Mil 10, 1 Mil 26T, 5 Mil 17s, and 2 Kamov Ka-32Ts. In March 1997, the company acquires 3 additional KA-32Ts through a 3-year lease-purchase agreement. They are sent to Southeast Asia to perform construction and logging operations.
Flights continue in 1998-1999. During the summer of the latter year, two Mi-26Ts are leased by the Italian Civil Protection Authority and based at Lamezia Terme, and Calabria to fight fires. The giant helicopters each arrive from Belgium with a pair of 10,000-liter external tanks. Managed by ETI 2000, the two also return to Italy in summer 2000.
SKYTRAIL (AIR SAFARI, LTD.): P. O. Box 81443, Nairobi, Kenya; Phone 254 (2) 501211; Fax 254 (2) 503362; Year Founded 1982. Sky-trail is established at Mombasa in 1982 to provide third-level passenger and cargo flights throughout the country, including stops at the big game parks. Revenue operations commence and continue with a fleet of 4 de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otters.
Almost two decades later, in 2000, CEO Roland Ruedin employs 50 workers and operates 6 Twin Otters, plus 1 each Cessna 206, C-404, and C-414.
SKYTRAIN AIRLINES: United States (1981). The all-cargo commuter PAFCO Airlines, owned by Gilbert Chcone and based at Chicago (MDW), is purchased by Joseph Valee on May 15 and renamed. Employing a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, the small regional inaugurates scheduled passenger services, linking its base with Chicago’s Meigs Field, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Lafayette, and Indianapolis.
On September 15, Skytrain is relabeled Air Great Lakes.
World History
