austra1998 - as per Gromguttens post, dont bother coming. If you start (which you wont), you'll never finish.
Bus Junkie - yes. Smoking is banned in the cockpit now. But only sometimes, it seems.
So here's the scoop:
NX was taking heat from politicans to open new routes. MAX created with 6 A320s on order. No one expected anyone progress (it is a local company after all), so its was given some good routes and told to slowly get on with it. Silly expat mgmt did a good job and got it ready. NX was then compelled to tell CA what it was up to. CA asked what on earth NX was doing. NX told to stop, but already had aircraft on order. But cant kill it since routes would go to VIVA. So NX keeps paying the ex-DFO from NX at MAX to keep the politicians and VIVA off NX's back, and keep MAX in a zombie state.
BUT first 2 acft coming early 08 from ANA/Aircastle. NX decides to take the acft for Japan routes. By not giving them to MAX, it keeps MAX in a zombie state a little longer (it needs them for the AOC), and it saves some money by haveing them in the air. BUT the config is all economy, no GPS, no RVSM, lbs not KG, CFM not IAE, and maintenance records in Japanese (not acceptable to AACM). NX mgmt decides "this is okay" and works to solve all of the above. NX maintenance sent to CTU for CFM training. Flt Ops update manuals updated for MSN 138 and 139. Chief Pilot told to hire 30 more FOs and 15 more command upgrades. Everyone told to expect 2 MAX A320s starting March (for May operations) and 1 other order (due Sep). Pilots sent to flight test these first 2 ANA acft in Japan.
BUT no aircraft delivered as promised on 17 March. Lessor saying Aircastle no longer involved. Aircraft reported to be in North America. NX deal for all 6 aircraft reported cancelled. However, flt ops internally has still not been told the aircraft are cancelled. Pilots still being hired. No-one knows anything. I leave you to guess who is right and who is wrong.
Did the NX CEO finally see that cross-straits is coming? Did he finally see that 70%+ of NX business is set to disappear within 12 months (or less)??? In preparation for cross straits, NX is "adding Tokyo, Nagoya and Sapporo later this year". However, is it just coincidence that VIVA has applied to fly to all of these?? Is this Phuket and Davao all over again? Can a 321 even make it back from Sapporo non-stop?
Also should NX staff be confident in the ability of its commercial department? (Judge by their success over the last five years). How are relations between Chinese and Japanese authorities and airlines anyway? Has NX upset ANA by not taking delivery of these 6 acft, and if so has that damaged NX's chances of ever flying more to Japan?
Can NX "grow and advance to a new and better stage" while siumultaneously losing cross-strait flights?
My guess, things will get a lot worse towards the end of this year, with far fewer passengers, and no new routes. Perhaps some wet leases, but still means layoffs next year. But then, maybe I am missing something....