Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Pan Pacific Airways' plans to serve small communities in the north-western USA are back on track after the company agreed to acquire Czech-built Let L-420s. An aircraft arrived in mid-July to enable training to begin. Burlington, Washington-based Pan Pacific hopes to begin operations by year-end.
Chairman and president Randall Brink says the carrier originally intended to use Fairchild Dornier 228-200s, but its plans were set back when it was discovered that the promised aircraft "were not deliverable". The company looked at other 19-seaters, but rejected new Fairchild Metros or Raytheon Beech 1900s as too expensive.
Used British Aerospace Jetstream 31s were "Plan B", but the AlliedSignal TPE331-powered aircraft was not suited to the planned short-cycle operation, Brink says. Pan Pacific was then approached by Let's new owner, US manufacturer Ayres, offering the L-420, the US-certificated version of the established L-410 regional aircraft. "The L-420's Walter 601F engine can tolerate the abuse of short cycles," he says.
The company has placed a firm order for five L-420s, for delivery by year-end, plus options for 15 more. All 20 aircraft have been built, says Brink. The first is being completed at Let and should be delivered by early October. A demonstrator aircraft in the USA will be used for training.
"We are building a new regional carrier," Brink says. The business plan is based on re-establishing service to communities "abandoned" by larger carriers. Pan Pacific plans to begin operations in the Puget Sound area, serving seven cities from Seattle/Tacoma Airport. "The operation will be fairly high frequency, not less than five flights a day per city-pair," he says.
The aircraft will be financed by ING Barings bank, with export loan guarantees from the Czech Government, Brink says. Pan Pacific is also negotiating with Ayres to purchase "at least two" 40-seat Let L-610Gs for longer haul flights into neighbouring Idaho and Oregon.
The company will be the first L-420 operator in the Americas, and will become a service centre for the aircraft. Ayres has agreed to provide a "spectacular" support package, Brink says, including a large inventory of spares.
Source: Flight International
