For Immediate Release:
Dec. 6, 2005
Contact: Carolyn Casey
Port of Bellingham 360-676-2500
Jerry Welch
Western Airlines 360-757-3117
Western Airlines Enters Lease with Port of Bellingham
Airline Commencing FAA Certification Process
[Bellingham, Washington – December 6, 2005] Western Airlines has entered into an airport terminal lease with the Port of Bellingham to open its corporate offices at Bellingham International Airport. Western Airlines will launch new passenger air service from Bellingham after completing a federal airline certification process.
Western Airlines, a Washington state corporation, was formed with a goal of providing all jet, low fare, premium service to passengers seeking travel alternatives to Seattle/Tacoma (SEATAC) and Vancouver International, British Columbia.
Western’s passengers will enjoy the convenience of flying from Bellingham directly to destination cities throughout the United States.
“People in our community have asked for additional air service and we believe this presents an excellent opportunity to provide new service,” said Port Commission President Doug Smith. “Last year we added Allegiant Air service to Las Vegas, which has been very successful, and our passenger studies show there still is considerable unmet demand for flights to other destinations.”
“Bellingham and the surrounding area are exploding in growth and opportunity,” said Western Chairman Curt Tronsdal. “Travelers from North Seattle up to British Columbia are very anxious for an airline alternative to SeaTac and Vancouver (and an alternative to the ever increasing hassle of traffic congestion, crowds and the related problems of the large airport experience). The Port of Bellingham and Western Airlines share the same plan: these travelers will fly to and from Bellingham when given the choice. Western intends to give them that choice.”
Tronsdal, who has a commercial aviation background, is a fifth-generation descendent of pioneer Norwegians who settled in Conway, Skagit County, Washington.
“The trend in the airline industry continues toward low-fare, low-overheard, regional-based airlines with strategically selected routes – based essentially on a determination of the needs/wants of the air traveler in this region,” said Western’s President Jerry Welch. “The large carriers continue to suffer from enormous overhead, dwindling profits, declining employee morale and, not surprisingly, terrible customer service. Western will counter that with a highly efficient, low overhead, customer service oriented airline with flights to and from Bellingham and selected destinations.”
Welch is the owner and founder of Commercial Aircraft Interiors, an FAA repair station for commercial aircraft interiors, located in Burlington, Washington.
Western Airlines has submitted a letter of intent to the FAA to begin airline operations and is initiating the process to obtain FAA part 121 certification for scheduled passenger service status. Western will facilitate the certification process with an experienced management team and certification consultants. During the certification process, Western Airlines will make the determination of aircraft type and the initial destination cities it will serve.
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