Airbus has a different check schedule than Boeing. There are phase checks or progressive checks if you prefer. The big ones are at the 5 yr and 10 yr point.
B6 has been having their checks done at AC in YWG.
The first 8 of B6's aircraft are leased from SALE and those are at market rates that existed at the time of the lease origination. The aircraft purchased from Airbus and financed by Airbus were purchased at substantial discounts from list price. There was some financing incentives, but there is no free period. One of Atlas' problems was the financing on the -400s was structured such that for the first 5 years or so, there was low payments with a balloon due at the end of that period. The way MC has structured the deal was at the end of the 5 year period, you refinance the deal. Only problem was he died and they lost their largest contract with China Airlines.
One thing B6 did with Airbus was to get them to pick up the maintenance costs for the first 5 years. It didn't cover the periodic checks, but does cover line MX. If you look at their completion rate, it's one of the highest if not the highest in the industry. Reason why? Airbus is covering all the problems.
However, with all that said, B6 is successful because of it's marketing strategy. My only concern would be with the introduction of another a/c type. This is a definite departure from the original plan. Adding another type will, according to B6's own SEC filings, raise their csm by one cent. That's almost a 20% increase.
