Californian entrepreneur Ted Vallas says he has not forsaken California Pacific Airlines (San Diego McClellan Palomar) and will recapitalize and relaunch the stalled carrier.
CPAir, as it is more commonly known, ceased all flight operations on January 16 citing a lack of suitably trained flight crews. It had operated a fleet of four E145s on scheduled flights out of San Diego McClellan Palomar (ended in late 2018) as well as on essential air services from Denver International to Watertown, SD and Pierre (ended in mid-January).
Speaking to The Coast News, TG Vallas, Ted Vallas’ nephew and secretary of the Board of Directors, said up to USD38 million will be invested in the airline along with a USD12 million line of credit. The funds will be used to pay off debts, said to amount to at least USD10 million, and to acquire two refurbished E145s and lease two more E-Jets - one E145 and one E135.
With funding in place, he said he hoped to have CPAir back in the air in "less than three months". According to him, flights will cover San Diego McClellan Palomar to Phoenix Williams Gateway, Denver International, San José, US, Reno/Tahoe, Tucson International, Las Vegas Harry Reid, and Sacramento International. CPAir will also avoid charters and EAS flying, he said.
