A couple of days ago, I wrote about Skymark Airlines applying for bankruptcy protection and business reconstruction. Thinking that I wouldn’t be able to see their A330s anymore after February 1st, I decided to go to Haneda Airport yesterday (January 31st) to capture their final silhouettes.

Before going, I checked Skymark’s official website for A330 flight times and made a simple memo in Evernote. I couldn’t catch the morning and forenoon flights, so I focused on the afternoon flights: Depart to Fukuoka (RWY05) Sky13 12:35 Sky15 13:50 Sky17 15:00 Sky19 16:05 Sky21 17:25

Arrival from Fukuoka (RWY34L) Sky10 13:25 Sky12 15:25 Sky16 16:45 Sky18 17:55 Sky20 19:10

Depart to Sapporo(RWY34R) Sky717 14:00 Sky727 18:45

Arrival from Sapporo (RWY34R) Sky712 13:10 Sky720 17:55

Today’s shooting location was chosen at Haneda Airport because the observation deck at the terminal allows for close-up shots, aiming for large-format close-ups. Additionally, the weather was relatively clear, so I attempted to take photos with Mount Fuji and the International Terminal as a backdrop.

Haneda Airport has a total of 3 terminals, each with a free observation deck. The International Terminal is the furthest west; Terminal 1 (Domestic) is in the middle and is mainly used by JAL. The observation deck faces west, directly opposite Runway 34L/16R, with Mount Fuji, Kawasaki factories, and the International Terminal in the background; Terminal 2 (Domestic) is on the east side by the sea and is mainly used by ANA. The observation deck faces Tokyo Bay to the east, directly opposite Runway 34R/16L, with Disneyland, Tokyo Skytree, and the Tokyo Gate Bridge as landmarks in the background.

Skymark’s A330s mainly operate two routes: the southwestern route from Haneda to Fukuoka and the northern route from Haneda to Sapporo. In winter, north winds are prevalent, so for flights to Fukuoka, takeoffs generally use Runway 05 and landings use Runway 34L; for flights to Sapporo, both takeoff and landing use Runway 34R. So, after weighing the options, I decided to go to Terminal 2 at noon to shoot the Sapporo route arrivals and departures. Although takeoffs from Runway 05 are a bit far, they are still just barely within shooting range. Also, when taxiing from the terminal to Runway 05 via Taxiway W, there is a section visible from the roof of Terminal 2. Although backlit, the effect is actually not bad. Then, after 3 PM, I moved to Terminal 1 to focus on landings on Runway 34L and get some close-ups during ground taxiing.

The result was that the plan went smoothly overall, and I basically achieved my shooting goals. The wind was strong that day, and I was almost freezing, but the advantage was that there weren’t too many photography enthusiasts on the observation deck. However, one mistake was that I forgot to bring my wireless receiver when I left, so I couldn’t hear the ATC and had to rely on estimating flight numbers. Less chatter, here are some photos.

1 This should be flight Sky13 to Fukuoca, JA330E on Taxiway W This is the first time I captured JA330E; it was on its way to Runway 05 for takeoff.

2 JA330D after landing on Runway 34R Based on the timing, this should be flight Sky10 arriving from Fukuoka, but how did it end up on Runway 34R? I guess I was just lucky. The background features the famous Tokyo Gate Bridge.

3 Flight Sky13 taking off from Runway 05, JA330E This is the same JA330E that was on the taxiway earlier; judging by the time, it taxied and queued, and received takeoff clearance 15 minutes later.

4 Flight Sky10 landing on Runway 34L, JA330A Actually, you can also capture landings on Runway 34L from Terminal 2, but the window of time is very short, just a few seconds, so it’s hard for most people to notice. Note the background is the famous Kawasaki factory, with the smoking chimney being its characteristic feature.

5 JA330F of flight Sky15, located on Taxiway H moving west to east, with the Kawasaki industrial zone in the background. This is the first time I captured JA330F.

6 A few minutes later, JA330D on the same Taxiway H, likely flight Sky717

The scene below is quite special; 4 Skymark Airlines aircraft waiting for takeoff at Runway 34R actually gathered together. This must be special treatment from Ground Control.

7 Flight Sky717 taking off from Runway 34R, JA330D JA330D arrived after JA330F but ended up departing first. In the background is Tokyo’s tallest building—Tokyo Skytree. The A330 is just starting to retract its landing gear.

8 Immediately following, flight Sky15 taking off from Runway 34R, JA330F, with the buildings of Kaihin Makuhari in the background Since the lighting was good, here’s another shot. The background below is Tokyo Disneyland.

Turning right immediately after takeoff at a low altitude, this side angle looks great!

Next came a special surprise. JA330F continued to turn right at this low altitude and actually circled back over the airport! This shouldn’t be a standard Departure procedure, right? Was it special radar guidance given by Tower to Skymark?? So heartwarming, I’m moved! Many thanks to ATC for giving us this excellent shooting opportunity!

Next, I left Terminal 2, walked through the underground passage to Terminal 1, rested a bit before climbing to the roof observation deck, and immediately saw JA330A in the distance.

9 Flight Sky17 to Fukuoca, JA330A just taking off from Runway 05, retracting gear Here is a panoramic view; the opposite side should be Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture, as many petrochemical plants are gathered there.

10 Flight Sky12 arriving from Fukuoka, Runway 34L, JA330B. You can see a Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 behind it. JA330B with reverse thrust deployed.

11 An hour later, JA330B, as flight Sky19, departed for Fukuoca again. A frontal close-up; this was the only shot of the day I was really satisfied with. JA330B on Taxiway A, Looking at the Skymark Airlines maintenance hangar in the background, it feels truly desolate…

12 Flight Sky16 from Fukuoka, Runway 34L, JA330E. This was the first JA330E I captured at noon, and 4 hours later it flew back from Fukuoka. Evening, the light began to soften, the most charming time of the day. So I had to use Mount Fuji as a background!

13 Flight Sky21 departing for Fukuoca, JA330E just pushed back. The night view is really beautiful, but my old camera wasn’t up to the task; autofocus and auto metering were no help. In manual mode, I barely managed to press the shutter at ISO800. After taking this shot of the pushback, I immediately ran from the north side of the observation deck to the center, because this background had to be photographed! Mount Fuji, 100 kilometers away, always looks so enchanting in the sunset glow. In the middle, you can see the lights of Tokyo city and the brightly lit International Terminal. JA330E turns from Taxiway W to Taxiway A, embarking on its journey to Fukuoka.

Good luck, Skymark!