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Two British-made jetliners exemplifying Pacific Southwest Airlines' bid for new markets and greater frequency of flights made a low pass together over Lindbergh Field before landing here yesterday afternoon.
When the 18 remaining British Aerospace 146s are delivered by the end of next year, PSA hopes to have "the most modern, fuel-efficient and quietest fleet in the world," according to PSA spokeswoman Margie Craig.
Tagged "Smiliners," the 146s are expected to erase frowns on the faces of PSA executives, who saw a 1983 net loss of $9.3 million on revenues of $530.8 million.
The 146s have a fuel-consumption rate of about 750 gallons per hour. This compares to the fleet's three remaining 727s, which consume 1,550 gallons per hour, and PSA's 26 McDonnell Douglas Super 80s that use about 1,100 gallons per hour.
Craig said the 727s are to be phased out by the beginning of September.
The 146s carry 100 passengers, compared to 172 in the 727s and 150 in the Super 80s. The crew on the 146s also is smaller. But Craig explained that the smaller capacity will mean each passenger load will be leaving at maximum efficiency. In other words, there will be fewer empty seats.
"This means we can start going into thinner markets that need service," she said, listing Lake Tahoe, Boise, Medford and Salt lake City as examples of those markets now open due to deregulation of the industry.
"We also can increase the frequency of flights out of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Burbank and provide half-hour service at peak time," she said. The 146s have a range of about 1,200 miles compared to the cross-country capabilities of the 727s.
Although the 20 new jetliners have a $300 million price tag, Craig said they will be a "good buy" for PSA. "The first 10 are on a leverage lease with British Aerospace assisting in financing," she said.
The added aesthetic quality in the fuel-efficient 146s is that they are considered the quietest jetliners being made, Craig said. "The folks in Point Loma are going to notice the difference right away," she said, referring to residents who live near Lindbergh Field's runways. |
