Western (airline)
Encyclopedia
Western was an American
low-cost
airline
headquartered in Bellingham, Washington
, and operated from a hub at Bellingham International Airport
.
to four vacation destinations; the fourth announced destination of Reno, Nevada
was cancelled before the airline began service. Service began on January 18, 2007, with a flight from Bellingham to Ontario, California
. Western operated as a "scheduled charter" service, with aircraft wet lease
d from Xtra Airways
and was working through the process of gaining FAA approval as a commercial airline.
On February 7, 2007, Western suspended further operations due to outstanding debts to suppliers including Xtra Airways and the fuel vendor in Bellingham. Xtra Airways continued to return Western's passengers to their originating airport. Xtra Airways officials stated that flights have had to stop in Seattle, Washington
to take on fuel, though a Western spokesperson claimed that only one flight has had to stop, and that was due to a higher than expected fuel burn on the flight to Bellingham.
Western officials traced the problem to difficulties with credit card
payments. The company had been running into problems obtaining a merchant identification number, which was needed before banks would deposit money into the airline's account. The airline stated it was working out an arrangement with PayPal
, which would allow credit card payments to be processed and sent to the airline without a merchant identification number. The airline expected to resume flights once the problem was resolved.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
low-cost
Low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
headquartered in Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
, and operated from a hub at Bellingham International Airport
Bellingham International Airport
Bellingham International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of Bellingham, in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. The airport has a single runway. Due to the close proximity to British Columbia, the Bellingham International Airport functions somewhat as a reliever airport to...
.
History
On November 16, 2006, Western announced that they would begin flights in January from Bellingham International AirportBellingham International Airport
Bellingham International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of Bellingham, in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. The airport has a single runway. Due to the close proximity to British Columbia, the Bellingham International Airport functions somewhat as a reliever airport to...
to four vacation destinations; the fourth announced destination of Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
was cancelled before the airline began service. Service began on January 18, 2007, with a flight from Bellingham to Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
. Western operated as a "scheduled charter" service, with aircraft wet lease
Wet lease
Aircraft leases are a number of types of leases used by airlines and other aircraft operators. Airlines lease aircraft from other airlines or leasing companies for two main reasons; to operate aircraft without the financial burden of buying them, and to provide temporary increase in capacity...
d from Xtra Airways
Xtra Airways
Xtra Airways is a charter airline based in Boise, Idaho, USA. The airline is certificated by the FAA to conduct Domestic, Flag and Supplemental operations with Boeing 737 aircraft.-History:...
and was working through the process of gaining FAA approval as a commercial airline.
On February 7, 2007, Western suspended further operations due to outstanding debts to suppliers including Xtra Airways and the fuel vendor in Bellingham. Xtra Airways continued to return Western's passengers to their originating airport. Xtra Airways officials stated that flights have had to stop in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
to take on fuel, though a Western spokesperson claimed that only one flight has had to stop, and that was due to a higher than expected fuel burn on the flight to Bellingham.
Western officials traced the problem to difficulties with credit card
Credit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
payments. The company had been running into problems obtaining a merchant identification number, which was needed before banks would deposit money into the airline's account. The airline stated it was working out an arrangement with PayPal
PayPal
PayPal is an American-based global e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the Internet. Online money transfers serve as electronic alternatives to paying with traditional paper methods, such as checks and money orders....
, which would allow credit card payments to be processed and sent to the airline without a merchant identification number. The airline expected to resume flights once the problem was resolved.
California
- OntarioOntario, CaliforniaOntario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
(LA/Ontario International Airport) - San DiegoSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
(San Diego International AirportSan Diego International AirportSan Diego International Airport , sometimes referred to as Lindbergh Field, is a public airport located northwest of the central business district of San Diego, California and from the Mexico – United States border at Tijuana, Mexico...
)
Washington
- BellinghamBellingham, WashingtonBellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
(Bellingham International AirportBellingham International AirportBellingham International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of Bellingham, in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. The airport has a single runway. Due to the close proximity to British Columbia, the Bellingham International Airport functions somewhat as a reliever airport to...
) Hub
Fleet
At the time of Western's demise on February 7, 2007, the airline had 1 aircraft in its fleet consisting of:| Type | Total | Passenger Capacity | Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-400 | 1 | Medium Haul | wet lease Wet lease Aircraft leases are a number of types of leases used by airlines and other aircraft operators. Airlines lease aircraft from other airlines or leasing companies for two main reasons; to operate aircraft without the financial burden of buying them, and to provide temporary increase in capacity... from Xtra Airways Xtra Airways Xtra Airways is a charter airline based in Boise, Idaho, USA. The airline is certificated by the FAA to conduct Domestic, Flag and Supplemental operations with Boeing 737 aircraft.-History:... |