Palmdale could host Eagle Air

William Wolf, Eagle Canyon Airlines director of scheduled airline services, told Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Committee members his company is interested in the area and will decide in two weeks if it will begin offering flights here.

The company is best known for its tours of the Grand Canyon, Wolf said. He estimates one-way ticket prices aboard the 44-passenger F-27 propeller jets will range from $49 to $79.

Eagle representatives have been looking at expanding service during the past six months. They have narrowed their choices to either Palmdale Regional Airport or the former Norton Air Force Base airport in San Bernardino, Wolf said.

San Bernardino is offering matching dollars for advertising and cheap landing fees, but there also is a down side, the scheduling director said.

"What I like about Palmdale is we don't duplicate any service. San Bernardino is close to Ontario's airport. San Bernardino also has good access to Interstate 15," he said.

Then there's Palmdale.

"There is a higher average income in the Antelope Valley, and the area still is growing. It's easy to operate from Palmdale and it would be easier to run on time," he said.

The incentives, however, will be considered when the pencils are sharpened for a close look at the numbers for both areas, the scheduling director said.

Wolf, who lives in Santa Clarita, said there are advantages to both locations, but believes the airline is leaning toward Palmdale.

"I'm going to be one of my own customers," he said.

Eagle representatives will be talking to travel agents, and economic development groups to determine how often and where Antelope Valley residents need air service. Other destinations besides Las Vegas also are possible, Wolf said.

Depending on the results, the carrier either could provide weekend service, or begin with two flights daily to Las Vegas, Wolf said. In addition to Las Vegas as a destination, Eagle is talking with a major carrier about using the airport as a hub to other cities and providing tickets at competitive costs.

Trudy Breslerman, Eagle's director of casino marketing and sales, said her interest is to sell two- and three-night casino packages.

Gateway Airlines officials, who expected to begin air service to Las Vegas in January 1996, where unavailable Tuesday to update their progress on bringing air service to Palmdale.