ANA Holdings Inc and Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd have notified bankrupt Skymark Airlines Inc of their plans to take part in the struggling airline's restructuring as the company ended accepting applications for sponsorship on Monday.
AirAsia's decision to lend a hand to the struggling Japanese airline follows a plan for the Malaysian low-cost carrier to re-enter the Japanese market later this year through a new company it set up last year with non-airline partners after dissolving its partnership with ANA in 2013.
Skymark, which filed for court protection last month, will submit a rehabilitation plan to the court by May 29. It faces a maze of issues, including dealing with European aircraft maker Airbus SAS over a penalty charge for breach of contract.