WestAir Plans John Wayne, Fresno Route

WestAir Airlines Inc., a Chico-based air carrier, intends to begin flights between Orange County, Ontario International and Fresno airports Feb. 14, braving routes that three airlines tried--and failed--to capture within the past two years.

Officials of the airline contend there is enough demand for a Fresno-Orange County route, despite the financial collapse of the last three airlines that served the route. WestAir maintains that it, unlike some of its predecessors, is well-enough financed to support its expansion. Also, WestAir officials believe, it will be using smaller, more economical aircraft on the route.

WestAir, which last year carried about 280,000 passengers on its routes in Central and Northern California, announced its plans for the new route Thursday. But Orange County government officials, who will decide later this month whether to approve WestAir’s proposed operations at county-owned John Wayne Airport, said they will closely scrutinize the airline’s financial picture before giving the go-ahead.

County officials agree there is considerable public demand, especially from Orange County business people, for flights to and from Fresno. There has been no service between Fresno and John Wayne Airport since Dec. 13, 1984, when Far West Airlines ceased operations. Far West had only been operating for three months--and less than one month on the Orange County-Fresno route--when it suspended operations.

Dash Air Folded

The route had been left open when Dash Air Inc. folded Sept. 11, 1984. And Dash Air was preceded on the route by Golden West Airlines, which shut down in April, 1983.

WestAir initially plans to have its 36-passenger turboprop aircraft make three round trips a day, flying in a loop from Fresno Airport to John Wayne to Ontario and then returning to Fresno. Airline officials say that, contingent upon delivery of four additional aircraft, they intend to start operating by March 4 separate nonstop flights between Fresno and Ontario and between Fresno and Orange County.

Flight time tables were still being worked out Thursday, WestAir officials said, because WestAir is negotiating to share limited counter and ramp facilities at John Wayne Airport with Airspur, a shuttle service.

WestAir officials said the standard one-way fare on the route will be $79; a discount one-way fare of $69 will be available for a limited number of seats on every flight.

Carolyn Ansari, who is processing WestAir’s application in the county General Services Agency’s real estate division, said although WestAir’s financial records “look very strong on the surface,” she has asked the county auditor-controller’s office to study them.

The application is scheduled to be considered Feb. 6 by the Orange County Airport Planning Commission and Feb. 12 by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, which will make the final decision.

Timothy P. Flynn, president and co-owner of WestAir, said his company is not depending on additional funds from outside investors to stay in operation.

Official Says Funds Available

“We have more than sufficient funds to handle this and additional expansion,” said Flynn. Flynn and Maurice Gallagher, WestAir’s vice president of finance, purchased a 60% interest in AirWest from Pacific Express Holding Inc. in January, 1979. Remaining ownership in the airline, Flynn said, was acquired at the same time by Pioneer Commercial Funding, a New York-based thrift company.

Flynn would not disclose the earnings of the privately held airline. However, he said WestAir has been in the black for the last two years. In 1984, it had revenues of about $15 million, up 67% from about $9 million the previous year, according to Craig E. Belmondo, vice president of marketing. Belmondo said the airline expects revenues to climb to $20 million this year. Belmondo attributed 1984’s increase to the addition of routes and larger aircraft.

WestAir officials said the Orange County-Ontario-Fresno route provided brisk traffic for the three airlines that previously served it and attributed their failures to financing problems.

Belmondo said the 36-passenger turboprops WestAir is leasing for the route will be more economical than the 60-passenger planes that Far West used. “A lot has to do with making sure the aircraft meets the needs of the market,” he said.