Study to probe AV's airline market

The first step, as explained by a director of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade, is to ask airline officials what kinds of information they would want to consider service at Palmdale Regional Airport.

The next step would be to get the information from a marketing research organization that has high credibility with the airlines.

That's the strategy of the Board of Trade, following up on a recommendation from the Palmdale Regional Airport Advisory Committee.

Money for a independent study that an air carrier can trust is expected to be generated from the community, said John Bass, a Board of Trade director.

The study is intended to show the demand level for airline service in the Antelope Valley, Bass said.

Several airline companies have been targeted and will be contacted for face-to-face meetings, he said.

Palmdale Regional Airport at Air Force Plant 42 has one carrier: United Express, which provides daily service to and from Los Angeles International Airport.

Bass said he believes there is an opportunity to do much more locally.

Bass, director of government relations for the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, said the company spent more than $6 million on more than 8,000 tickets in 1996 - the vast majority of it on flights out of Los Angeles International and Hollywood-Burbank airports.

Between the Antelope Valley's major aerospace contractors, Edwards Air Force Base and other businesses, Bass said he believes there is enough unmet air traffic demand to get a carrier's attention.

"No one ever thinks to ask if Pittsburgh (Pa.) needs an airport. I also think we have more long distance flight needs by comparison," Bass said.

Pittsburgh has 370,000 people and the Antelope Valley is near that population figure now, Bass said.

"I think it is within our reach to bring the airport more to life," Bass added.

Southern Edison Gas Co. has pledged $1,000 toward the study and aerospace companies have talked about assisting monetarily with the study, also, sources said.

Los Angeles Department of Airports reportedly has plans for infrastructure improvements when another carrier signs up to use Palmdale Regional Airport.

Lloyd Heaney, airport advisory committee vice president, said member Larry Chimbole has strongly urged the partnership and the AV Board of Trade for help in getting better use our of the airport by attracting more air carriers to Palmdale.

Frustrated at its inability to do much, the airport committee went back to its parent organization, the Board of Trade, to ask for help and to get a study done.

"We don't think there is any other way to go. We are not trying to fight LAX or the Department of Airports; it is important to work with them. We want to bring airlines to this airport," Heaney said.

If prices were competitive and people were aware of the services, Heaney said he thinks Antelope Valley residents would fly from Palmdale and not rely as heavily on LAX, Burbank and Ontario.

"We can make a strong case, but we have to prove to an airline they can make money. I think we can do this. This effort is in its infancy, but it's very exciting," Heaney said.