Air Pacific to Lease B747

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Feb 28, 2003
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Several United team members from Los Angeles, the Operations Center and headquarters came together in an effort to generate new sources of revenue through a unique strategic approach this fall, as Air Pacific, Fiji's international airline, agreed to lease a United B747 aircraft for two months. During this supplemental operation, we will provide the leased aircraft, pilot and flight attendant crews, and all maintenance for the plane, as well as all insurance fees. In return, Air Pacific will pay us by hours operated.

More than 35 planning and field organizations both at United and Air Pacific involving 70 team members spent six weeks starting up an operation that will touch four countries and thousands of passengers during the course of the lease. In fact, the prime minister of Fiji will be a VIP guest on the first departure from Los Angeles.

The arrangement begins on September 28th and runs through November 23rd. We will provide two weekly flights between Los Angeles and Fiji, three weekly flights between Fiji and Sydney, and Saturday-only service between Fiji and Auckland.

The aircraft that will be used for the Air Pacific flights is one of the six B747s that will be retired later this year as part of our previously announced capacity reductions.

"Our work with Air Pacific will give United the chance to keep more of our fellow employees flying," says Howard Attarian, vice president-Flight Operations. "Many thanks to all the team members at United, Air Pacific and our vendors, who came together quickly to launch this complex project."
 
:up: :up: This is GREAT news and a wonderful, innovative way to increase revenue. What happens after Nov? Does Air Pacific take over the lease on the a/c's?
 
I'm sure more than a few heads will turn when they see a UA 747 on the tarmac at Fiji. Or will the UA logo be stripped and replaced with Air Pacific?

Either way, this is awesome news. Will this bid be among the most sought after among crews now?