United to stop flights

After five years of service, United Express flights will end on that day because a contract between the airline and Mesa Airlines of Farmington, N.M., - which staffs United's Palmdale Airport station - was not renewed.

"I think United Express made an unfortunate decision," Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said of the news.

Ledford said Jack Driscoll of Los Angeles World Airports - formerly known as the Los Angeles Department of Airports - has been working to find a replacement carrier to serve Palmdale before United Express service ends, but none has been found so far.

Driscoll was away from his office Wednesday afternoon, unavailable to share information on the status of his search.

Frequent Palmdale flyers seemed less optimistic about a new carrier coming in for a smooth transition. A few who called the Valley Press Wednesday said they'd received calls from United Express canceling all flights to and from Palmdale after April 22.

Kathie Beatrice, manager of the Palmdale United Express station, said she could neither confirm nor deny that service would end in April. She called such reports "rumors," and directed media inquiries to Mesa Airlines.

Through its subsidiary, WestAir Airlines, Mesa Airlines has contracts with United Express to provide shuttle service in 11 Los Angeles-area hub markets.

The contracts, which expire April 23, were not renewed, said Sarah Pitcher, WestAir's vice president of corporate communications.

As of that date, SkyWest Airlines will take over 10 of the 11 routes WestAir now serves. Palmdale is the only route SkyWest will not take over.

SkyWest officials could not be reached for comment at their St. George, Utah, headquarters Wednesday afternoon.

Priscilla Caballero, lead agent at the Palmdale United Express counter, also refused to comment on the termination of service, but did say many people fly out of the airport and that United Express offers fair rates to get to Los Angeles. Airport documents show about 1,000 passengers per month fly out of Palmdale.

Area travel agents contacted Wednesday said fares in and out of Palmdale after April 22 have not yet been removed from airline reservation systems.

Other airlines that set up shop at Palmdale Regional Airport this decade and later departed were SkyWest and America West.