ONTARIO- New Pacific Airlines (7H), a startup based in the US, is shifting its primary focus towards charter flights after Struggling with challenges in gaining traction with its scheduled passenger services in Southern California.
‘Our top priority is to sustain our operations,’ Chief Executive Rob McKinney told FlightGlobal on March 22nd. ‘We must adapt to where the demand and revenue lie, and currently, we perceive charter flights as the most accessible opportunity.’
New Pacific Airlines to Suspend Flights
New Pacific, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, previously known as Northern Pacific Airways, commenced operations in July 2023, offering a blend of scheduled passenger flights and charter services.
The airline is transitioning its older fleet of Boeing 757s predominantly towards charter operations in the upcoming months, reducing its focus on scheduled flights.
On March 22nd, it discontinued services between Reno and Ontario International Airport (ONT), situated outside Los Angeles, except for twice-weekly flights between Ontario and Nashville, which remain the sole available scheduled route.
McKinney emphasizes the airline’s need to adapt swiftly to sustain itself, stating, “To optimize profitability, expand our fleet, and ensure continued growth, our emphasis will likely shift towards charter services rather than scheduled operations.”
New Pacific has recently partnered with Elevate Aviation Group, headquartered in Florida, specializing in charter services for sports teams, concert attendees, and government entities. Through this collaboration, Elevate will funnel charter contracts to New Pacific.
Due to this collaboration, McKinney anticipates involvement from various major sports teams, citing Elevate’s past engagements in presidential campaigns, which could be relevant given the current election year.
Despite these shifts, McKinney reaffirms the company’s overarching goal of launching transpacific flights from the US West Coast to Asian markets, utilizing Anchorage as a pivotal stopover. However, the airline utilizes its 757s primarily for short- and medium-haul routes out of Ontario International.
Focus Shift towards Charter
In January, New Pacific reduced its flights to Las Vegas due to ongoing ground delays caused by air traffic control issues and runway closures.
According to McKinney, Las Vegas operations were satisfactory, but the airline faced recurrent multi-hour ground stops, primarily due to service-related issues.
If the charter operation proves successful and New Pacific’s fleet expands, McKinney suggests that they will carefully consider potential scheduled destinations.
New Pacific is actively seeking to expand its fleet by adding more 757s and expresses a long-term interest in the long-range capabilities of Airbus’s A321XLR. However, the current focus remains on 757 maintenance and pilot training.
McKinney explains that the 757 was chosen for their original transpacific model due to its unique narrowbody stage length suitable for routes from Anchorage to Japan and the East Coast.
Additionally, the availability and affordability of the aircraft played a significant role, especially as other airlines were discontinuing their operations with this model.
Eyes Long-haul Flights
While acknowledging that 757s are not ideal for short-haul flights from Southern California to Reno or Las Vegas, McKinney remains committed to launching long-haul flights with this aircraft type in the future.
Regarding the challenges of establishing a new airline in the US, McKinney emphasizes the high costs and slim profit margins associated with the business.
He highlights the necessity of building awareness and attracting passengers over time, acknowledging that flying with partially filled planes initially poses a significant challenge.
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