ANA - All Nippon Airways (NH, Tokyo Haneda) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with US-based lessor Intrepid Aviation covering A330-300s - cn 1483, 1491, 1542, 1554, and 1592 - that were originally in service with Skymark Airlines (BC, Tokyo Haneda).

Last month, the bankrupt LCC relinquished leases for all ten of its A330-300s of which seven were to have been sourced from Intrepid with the remainder from CIT Aerospace. As a result of its cancellation, Intrepid filed claims for JPY108 billion (USD900 million) in breach-of-contract costs with Skymark.

However, sources who spoke to FlightGlobal report ANA's LOI with Intrepid pertains to long-term leases which are slated to begin in 2016. Once delivered they will become the first Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) widebody aircraft to operate for the Japanese carrier. Additional claims state ANA may also be interested in Skymark's cancelled order for six A380-800s.

Meanwhile, ANA's parent ANA Holdings on Wednesday finalized an investment deal with Skymark in which it will take a 19.9% interest while Tokyo-based investment fund, Integral, will hold 50.1%. Others investors participating include the Development Bank of Japan and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. ANA All Nippon's stake in the carrier is to remain less than 20% in order to allow Skymark to retain its thirty-six Tokyo Haneda slots.

Skymark will see an initial capital of JPY18 billion (USD150.64 million) of which JPY9 billion (USD75 million) will come from Integral, JPY3.5 billion (USD29.29 million) from ANA Holdings, and the rest from ANA's partner financial firms.

The Asian review states that with the approval of creditors, all Skymark shares will be retired, while a bridging loan from Integral will be turned into equity. Skymark will then issue new shares to ANA and other sponsors.

The plan is scheduled to be presented to the Tokyo District Court by May 29.