FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2007 Contact:
Carolyn Casey,
Port of Bellingham
360-676-2500
and
Dawnell Fish,
Western
360-441-7975
dawnelliflywestern.com
Western Took to the Skies in Its Inaugural Flight
From Bellingham to Los Angeles/Ontario
[Bellingham, Wash.] – The Port of Bellingham congratulates Western Air on its inaugural flight today. Western is a new air service in Bellingham that will provide non-stop service from Bellingham to Los Angeles/Ontario, Phoenix and San Diego. These are all new travel destinations from the Bellingham International Airport.
"We congratulate Western on starting this new air service and we wish them great success," said Commission President Scott Walker. "The people of Whatcom County have continued to ask for more direct flight services and already we are hearing enthusiastic support for these new destinations."
The first Western flight on its 737-400 left Bellingham this morning and to returned to Bellingham this afternoon with a celebration upon its arrival. Tomorrow (Friday) Western is scheduled to begin direct flights to Phoenix’s Williams Gateway Airport and on Wednesday (Jan. 24), Western will make its first flight to San Diego.
“We at Western are excited to call Bellingham International Airport ‘home,’ and anticipate becoming an active participant in the northern Washington community,” said Curt Tronsdal, co-founder and Chairman of Western. “We feel very fortunate to be working with the superior airports into which we will be flying and we look forward to growing these relationships as we grow this company.”
Western is a public charter based in Bellingham, with flights operated by Xtra Airways of Elko, Nevada. Western is going through the process of gaining federal licensing to become an airline and is operating as a charter until it gains that licensing.
The Port of Bellingham operates Whatcom County’s major transportation terminals including the Bellingham Airport, Fairhaven Transportation Station and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port also serves about 2,000 moorage customers in its Blaine and Squalicum Harbors. In addition, about 300 businesses operate on Port properties. The Port of Bellingham is a countywide independent special purpose government.
Reservations are available at http://www.iflywestern.com or through 1-888-WAY-2-FLY.
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