![Air Management - Oozora ni Kakeru [Model SHV-AL]](images/marquees/61012.jpg "Air Management - Oozora ni Kakeru [Model SHV-AL]")
![Air Management - Oozora ni Kakeru [Model SHV-AL] screenshot](images/game/61012_2.png "Air Management - Oozora ni Kakeru [Model SHV-AL]")
ăšăąăŒăăăžăĄăłă 性ç©șă«èłăă © 1992 Koei
(Air Management - Oozora ni Kakeru)
Air Management: Oozora ni Kakeru is a standout management simulation that offers a deep, strategic look at the aviation industry. Similar in spirit to classics like SimCity, the game tasks players with building and operating a global airline from the ground up. Players can choose between two distinct historical eras to test their acumen: a mid-century period starting in 1963 or a modern-era scenario beginning in 1983.
The game features a highly engaging round-based system that supports up to four players, fostering intense competition as each airline vies for market dominance (with computer-controlled opponents filling in during single-player sessions). The simulation is remarkably granular, offering players control over every facet of the business, including establishing flight routes, selecting aircraft models, setting ticket fares, and managing advertising budgets.
Success is never guaranteed, as the gameâs economic engine is influenced by a dynamic world environment. Players must adapt to aggressive rival companies, fluctuating weather, mechanical failures, labor strikes, and unpredictable global eventsâranging from localized accidents to large-scale international conflictsâall of which directly impact the viability of their flight network.
![Goodies for Air Management - Oozora ni Kakeru [Model SHV-AL]](images/covermini160/61012_1.jpg)
Cartridge ID: SHV-AL
Air Management was released on April 5, 1992 (Sunday) in Japan at a retail price of 11,800 JPY.
Koeiâs Simulation Pedigree: Air Management is a quintessential Koei "Historical/Simulation" title. Much like their famous Nobunagaâs Ambition or Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, the game focuses heavily on menus, spreadsheets, and long-term strategic planning rather than real-time gameplay.
A "Global" Scope: The game allows players to set their headquarters in one of several major global cities, each offering unique logistical advantages and disadvantages. Successfully connecting hubs across different continents is the ultimate goal, forcing players to understand geography and international trade routes.
Aircraft Realism: The game features a variety of real-world aircraft models of the era. Each plane has specific statistics regarding fuel efficiency, passenger capacity, and range, requiring players to choose the right equipment for specific route lengthsâmuch like real airline fleet planning.
Porting the Complexity: The move to the Super Famicom was a massive technical challenge. Koei had to redesign their complex mouse-and-keyboard interface for the SFC controller. They utilized a clever menu-driven system that allowed players to toggle through various management screens efficiently without the need for a PC peripheral.
The "Oozora ni Kakeru" Subtitle: The Japanese subtitle translates roughly to "Betting on the Big Sky." It highlights the high-stakes, gambling-like nature of the airline industry in the 1980s and 90s, where one poor strategic decision could lead a massive company toward bankruptcy.
Cult Classic Status: While it was never a mainstream "hit," the game built a dedicated following among fans of the "management sim" genre. It remains a notable example of how the Super Famicom was home to deep, niche software that appealed to adults and strategy buffs, distinct from the system's more colorful platformers.
Export releases:
[US] Aerobiz [Model SNS-AL-USA]