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Long Beach Municipal Airport

Airport News

JetBlue to Add Boston, Eliminate Atlanta Service

On Thursday, October 23, 2003, JetBlue Airways announced that it will add add twice daily service from Long Beach to Boston, Massachusetts starting January 16, 2004.

The same day, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that JetBlue was ending all service to that city on December 4, 2003. The airline cited competition between Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways on Atlanta to California flights.

Alaska Airlines to Replace Horizon Air on Seattle Flights

Alaska Airlines announced on Monday, August 4, 2003, that Horizon Air's three daily flights from Long Beach to Seattle, Washington will be replaced by Alaska Airlines flights beginning December 14, 2003. Alaska will use Boeing 737-400 and 737-700 aircraft on the flights.

JetBlue to Add Ft. Lauderdale Flight; Reduce Atlanta Service

On Monday, July 21, 2003, JetBlue Airways announced that starting September 8, service from Long Beach to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida will be increased from one to two daily flights, and service from Long Beach to Atlanta, Georgia will be decreased from three to one daily flight. The airline states that due to uncertainty as to whether or not the airline will be able to operate a 23rd daily flight past this fall, it is reducing the total number of daily flights from Long Beach to 22.

Long Beach Airport Raises Parking Rates

The Press-Telegram reported on Tuesday, July 15, 2003, that the Long Beach City Council approved higher parking rates for the Long Beach Airport, to offset rising costs to match funds from state and federal grants to make runway improvements and other capital improvements:

Alaska Airlines Obtains America West Slot

The Press-Telegram reported on Tuesday, July 8, 2003, that Alaska Airlines had been awarded a flight slot surrendered by America West Airlines due to inactivity. American Airlines and JetBlue Airways had also petitioned for the slot, resulting in the slot being assigned by lottery. Alaska had also previously received two slots in a negotiated settlement earlier this year. Alaska states it could begin service to Seattle, Washington as early as December 14. Alaska's flights will replace Horizon Air's service to Seattle.

Midwest Airlines Denied Long Beach Slots

On Wednesday, April 16, 2003, The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported that the City of Long Beach had denied a request by Midwest Airlines, which recently changed its name from Midwest Express Airlines, for two slots for new service at Long Beach Airport, since all of the airports slots are already taken.

JetBlue Announces Long Beach to Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale

On Tuesday, February 18, 2003, JetBlue Airways announced new service from Long Beach to Atlanta, Georgia and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Effective May 8, 2003, Atlanta will be served with three daily flights, and Ft. Lauderdale with one daily flight.

JetBlue Announces Additional Service from Long Beach

JetBlue Airways has announced that service from Long Beach to New York's Kennedy International Airport will add a sixth daily flight on February 20, 2003, with a seventh starting on June 26, 2003. On May 1, 2003, the airline will add a third daily flight to Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport.

The airline also announced that it was giving up five daily slots to be redistributed, two to Alaska Airlines and three to American Airlines.

American to End Chicago Service

American Airlines is ending service from Long Beach to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on March 1, 2003. In it's place, a third flight to New York's Kennedy International Airport along with a fifth flight to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas will be started on March 2, 2003, the latter using a Boeing 737-800.

FAA Meets with City and Airlines

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported on Thursday, August 1, 2002, that the Federal Aviation Administration has begun a series of informal discussions between airline and Long Beach city officials in an attempt to solve the stalemate regarding airport slots.

Horizon Air to Fly to Long Beach Instead of Alaska

Alaska Airlines announced on Wednesday, July 31, 2002, that it had withdrawn its request for temporary slots at Long Beach Airport, and is awaiting the availability of permanent slots. The airline had planned to use Boeing 737-700 aircraft on three daily flights to Seattle, Washington.

Instead, Alaska's regional affiliate, Horizon Air, has applied for three daily commuter aircraft slots for daily service to Seattle starting October 6, 2002, using Bombardier CRJ-700 regional jets.

City of Long Beach Denies Alaska Airlines Slot Request

The Press-Telegram reported on Sunday, June 2, 2002, that the City of Long Beach has denied Alaska Airlines' request for three temporary slots that the airline wanted to use for three daily flights to Seattle, Washington. The airline would have only been able to use the slots from the planned start date of September 9 until October 9, as JetBlue Airways, which owns the slots, will begin using them on October 10 for service to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.

JetBlue Announces Las Vegas, Oakland, and Salt Lake City Service

JetBlue Airways has announced that service from Long Beach to Oakland, California will begin on September 6, 2002, with nine daily flights. Six daily flights to Las Vegas, Nevada, a daily flight to Salt Lake City, Utah, and a fifth daily nonstop flight to New York will be added starting October 10, 2002.

The airline also announced that flights using the remaining four of JetBlue's 27 slots at Long Beach Airport will be added in January 2003. The airline had originally planned to use all 27 slots by October 2002 but delayed the last four slots at the request of the City of Long Beach.

American to Use Temporary Flight Slots

The Press-Telegram reported on Tuesday, March 16, 2002, that American Airlines has agreed to use temporary flight slots for its new flights to Chicago and New York beginning in June. These are slots currently held by other airlines, but not actively being used.

Alaska Requests Long Beach Slots

Alaska Airlines announced in a press release on their web site on Monday, April 1, 2002, that the airline has requested three flight slots at Long Beach Airport for three daily flights to Seattle, Washington beginning on September 8, 2002.

American Reconfirms Long Beach Plans

American Airlines reconfirmed in a press release on their web site on Friday, March 22, 2002, that the airline intends to begin twice daily service from Long Beach to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on June 15, 2002. Flights to Chicago will use McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, while Boeing 757-200 aircraft will be used on the New York flights. The press release includes the intended flight schedule.

American Requests Additional Slots

The Press-Telegram reported on Tuesday, March 12, 2002, that American Airlines was interested in acquiring four slots at Long Beach Airport to begin service this summer to two new destinations. Currently no slots are available, however the airline does have the right to sue for additional slots since the expiration of the court agreement between the airlines and the city on January 1, 2002.

The Grunion Gazette reports that the new American destinations are reported to be New York and Chicago, to begin by the first week of July.

JetBlue Announces Washington Service

JetBlue Airways has announced that service from Long Beach to Washington's Dulles International Airport will begin on May 1, 2002, with two daily flights. A fourth daily nonstop flight to New York will also be added starting June 11, 2002.

America West Changes Some Long Beach Flights to America West Express

The Mesa Air Group has announced that it will be taking over operating some of America West Airlines' flights from Phoenix to Long Beach. Canadair Regional Jet 200 aircraft will be used.

JetBlue Adds New York Flight, Delays Washington Service

JetBlue Airways has announced that service from Long Beach to Washinton's Dulles International Airport will not begin until the spring of 2002. However, the airline also announced that it will add a third daily roundtrip flight from Long Beach to New York's Kennedy International Airport.

JetBlue to Make Long Beach a Focus City

The New York Times reported on Wednesday, May 23, 2001, that JetBlue Airways is expected to make an announcement that the airline will be expanding to Long Beach Airport. Initial service will be two daily flights from Long Beach to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, JetBlue's hub beginning August 29, 2001. Within two years, an additional 25 flights will be added to up to 14 cities. The previous week, the City of Long Beach awarded the airport's 27 available slots to JetBlue.

A press release on JetBlue's web site confirms the plan.

JetBlue later announced that service from Long Beach to Washington/Dulles will begin October 8, 2001.

Aloha Airlines Not Flying to Long Beach

The Press-Telegram reported on Friday, March 30, 2001, that Aloha Airlines will not serve Long Beach Airport. The airline's Southern California flights will serve John Wayne Airport in Orange County, as previously announced. The article did state, however, that Long Beach officials were attempting to attract another airline to provide Long Beach-Hawaii service. Such a route is one of the airport's top priorities, according to Airport Manager Chris Kunze.

Boeing May Operate Test and Delivery Flights from Long Beach

The Press-Telegram reported on Wednesday, March 7, 2001, that Boeing may operate some 737 and 757 test and delivery flights from Long Beach Airport due to earthquake damage at Boeing Field in Washington state. Currently, these flights are being performed at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, where the assembly lines for the 747, 767, and 777 are located, but if Everett becomes unable to handle the extra traffic, Long Beach is being considered as an alternative, a Boeing spokesperson said.

Allegiant Air Suspends Most Flights

Yahoo Airline/Aviation News reported on Thursday, December 7, 2000, that Allegiant Air is suspending all of their scheduled flights as of December 8, with the exception of Fresno-Las Vegas. The airline cited skyrocketing fuel prices as leading to the suspension of services. The airline will contine charter operations; passengers who had reservations with Allegiant are being contacted by the airline.

Reno in Allegiant Air's Immediate Plans

The Press-Telegram reported on Friday, July 28, 2000, that Allegiant Air will begin nonstop jet service from Long Beach to South Lake Tahoe Airport in California beginning August 4, 2000. The service will operate on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

In addition, the Press-Telegram reported on Saturday, August 5, 2000, that Allegiant Air's owner co~firmed Friday that service from Long Beach to either San Francisco, California or Sacramento, California, was less than six months away.

City Officials Attempting to Attract Aloha Airlines to Long Beach

The Press-Telegram reported on Thursday, June 15, 2000, that Long Beach City and Airport officials have been attempting to convince Aloha Airlines to serve Long Beach Airport. The Hawaii-based carrier began its first service to the continental US in February 2000 with service from Oakland, California to Honolulu and Kahului, Maui in Hawaii. The airline has applied for slots at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, where it is second on the waiting list, behind Air Canada.

Reno in Allegiant Air's Immediate Plans

The Press-Telegram reported on Tuesday, April 23, 2000, that Jim Patterson, the airline's president, had travelled to Reno, Nevada to discuss expanding Allegiant service to Reno/Tahoe International Airport. Patterson told the newspaper that "Reno is definitely in Allegiant's immediate expansion plans."

The Press-Telegram reported on Thursday, June 1, 2000, that Allegiant Air was commencing service to Reno from Fresno, but not Long Beach.

Allegiant Air Considers Six New Destinations

The Press-Telegram reported on Staurday, April 1, 2000, that Allegiant Air was considering six new cities to serve from Long Beach. The airline hopes to begin operating to one or two of them before the summer travel season. The cities under consideration are Salt Lake City, Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe, Reno, San Jose and Seattle, according to airline president Jim Patterson.

Additionally, the article noted that Allegiant began operating as a scheduled airline on March 25.

Pro Air Gives Up Long Beach Slots

The Press-Telegram reported on Friday, February 4, 2000, that Pro Air, a Seattle-based airline with its hub at Detroit's City Airport, has opted not to renew the eight conditional slots held by the airline for Long Beach Airport. The airline initially acquired the slots on August 2, 1999 and renewed them on October 31, 1999. The move comes after a new city ordinance that requires airlines to pay $5,000 per slot in order to hold them. The airline says it is still interested in serving Long Beach, but is not in a position to make a financial commitment at this time.

Farwest Airlines Ends Long Beach Service on January 22

Aero Pacific Images reports that Farwest Airlines ended their service to Long Beach on January 22, 2000. The airline had operated flights to the Grand Canyon with deHavilland Canada Dash-7 turboprops as part of an overnight tour package. The airline began service to Long Beach on November 20, 1999.

Allegiant Air Receives Part 121 Certification

The Press-Telegram reported on Thursday, January 27, 2000, that Allegiant Air had been granted Part 121 Certification on January 17 by the Federal Aviation Administration. This means that Allegiant will be able to offer flights as a scheduled airline, and not a charter operator as they had been doing. Additionally, their flights will be able to be listed in the computer reservations used by travel agents and in the Official Airline Guide.

Allegiant Air Began Long Beach Service on November 5

Allegiant Air sucessfully operated its first scheduled Long Beach flights on Friday, November 5, 1999, inagurating their Long Beach-Las Vegas flights. Allegiant Air had previously occasionally operated flights to Long Beach on behalf of WinAir Airlines.

WinAir Cancels All Flights

The Press-Telegram reported on Wednesday, July 7, 1999, that as of 12:01 AM WinAir Airlines had cancelled all flights and that the airline was shutting down after eight months of operations from Long Beach. All 360 employees have been laid off. The airline cited financial problems and ongoing difficulties in obtaining certification as a scheduled airline from the FAA.

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