Airbus terminates Skymark A380 order

Airbus has terminated the purchase order from the Japanese carrier Skymark Airlines for six A380 megajets. The airline cannot pay the aircraft. Skymark ordered the A380s in 2011 and intended to fly them to the United States and Europe.

Skymark booked a loss in its latest financial year and struggles with increasing competition and a weak yen. The termination means another setback for the A380 programme. One A380, partially painted in the Skymark livery, did already make test flights. A second plane is under construction. Airbus is looking for an other user for the two aircraft, which doesn't seem an easy job, because the interiors are specially designed for individual airlines. Skymark wanted fewer than 400 passengers on the A380. Earlier cancellations came from Kingfisher Airliners and Hong Kong Airlines. Air France and Qantas deferred delivery of some ordered aircraft. An order from Virgin Atlantic still seems uncertain.

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