Overview
- Skymark held a public unveiling of the Boeing 737‑8 (MAX) at Haneda and plans to begin scheduled Haneda–Fukuoka service on May 28 with a fleet order of 13 jets.
- A Skymark Haneda–Fukuoka flight returned to Haneda and made an emergency landing on May 25 after crew detected a tire problem, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport said all 169 passengers and crew were uninjured.
- Haneda’s Runway C was briefly closed for inspections after the May 25 incident and authorities have opened an inquiry into the cause of the tire trouble.
- The 737‑8 (MAX) is marketed as about 15% more fuel efficient than older models and uses serrated engine nacelles to reduce noise while keeping a 177-seat layout with added cabin amenities.
- The MAX’s 2018–19 crash history led to software and hardware changes and regulatory recertification, and Skymark says safety has been confirmed even as regulators and the airline carry out checks that could affect near-term operations.