Western Airlines 737-400s from Bellingham to ONT

[On Your Six]

Anyone know much about this public charter operator - Western Airlines (nice name) out of Bellingham, WA? I agree that Ontario has the potential to be a huge growth market with its surrounding population. No doubt that is why COEX will operate a new division with ERJs out of ONT.


LA/Ontario International Airport Picks Up New Service to Bellingham, Washington on Western Airlines Beginning January 18
Friday January 12, 2:58 pm ET



ONTARIO, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 12, 2007 -- Travelers using LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) can fly nonstop on Western Airlines to Bellingham, Washington starting Jan. 18. Western will fly a 150-seat Boeing 737-400 aircraft four times a week. The airline will focus on attracting leisure travel from the Seattle area and British Columbia to Ontario.


Western's first flight to ONT will arrive at 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 18 and depart for Bellingham International Airport (BLI) at 10:35 a.m. Western, a public charter based in Bellingham, is a low-cost provider of nonstop flights from BLI to popular destinations in the western United States. Western's fleet is comprised entirely of fuel-efficient Boeing 737-400s.

"We are very excited about Western's new Bellingham flights," said Jess Romo, ONT's manager. "The new service offers added convenience to our travelers, will stimulate competition and benefit the local economy. ONT is located in one of the fastest growing regions in the United States with an air service market comprised of 3.5 million travelers."

Nine major airlines currently operate at ONT with domestic flights to many U.S. cities and international flights to Mexico. ONT is a medium-hub airport servicing 7.2 million passengers a year with room to accommodate up to 12 million a year. "The airport plays a critical role in Southern California's regional air transportation system," added Romo. "While other Southern California airports are limited in growth and development, ONT has infrastructure in place to accommodate growth, capacity for future expansion, and a supportive pro-growth community."

ONT is located in Southern California's "Inland Empire" region that includes San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The airport is one of four owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a Los Angeles City department that oversees an airport system in the nation's second largest metropolitan area. The other airports owned and operated by LAWA are Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Palmdale Regional (PMD) and Van Nuys (VNY).

 

[Hpilot]

Western exists in name only. They're using Xtra Airways to do their flying. I was excited at first too until I found out the details.

 

[fandango]

Why are you disapointed? XTRA will only be doing the flying for the first year or two for them, then they will be doing their own flying.

 

[Buzo]

I would assume that they are using the Western name due to there location. Bellingham is best known for Western Washington University.

 

[altscap]

nice pay scale

 

[Hpilot]

Why are you disapointed? XTRA will only be doing the flying for the first year or two for them, then they will be doing their own flying.

I hope you're right and I know that's the plan. The people I've talked to that are in the know don't give them two years. I hope they're wrong. Oh yeah, the Western name was purchased from Delta.

 

[othello]

Who are the bastards that fly 737 at those rates? Please IDyour self. You are pissing off a lot of people trying to make this a respectable line of work.

I understand that someone has to be the lowest paid but that pay scale should be burned. It is not in the ball park with any other 737 pilots.

 

[CoATP]

XTRA just managed a raise. It's on the charter board.

 

[sadlmkr]

Bastards??Spoken from a true CFI skygod. Maybe someday they can be as cool as you.

 

[othello]

It has been over six years since I was an active CFI. I work for an industry sdandard pay rate for the type of equipment I fly. It is a shame and hurts the industry when pilots sell out for some time building in a 737 at turbo prop rates.

I recall Caisno's / Xtras pay scale hurt the Alaska pilots when they took there 29% pay cuts.

Ill post the artical if I can dig it up.