Speculation over the future of commercial air service to and from Denver was laid to rest on Thursday when United Airlines announced a new type of jet for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport and a new partner to operate it.
United Airlines currently serves the local market through a partnership with Air Wisconsin, which flies 88-seat BAE-146 planes between Aspen and Denver. The arrangement between the two companies ends in April. United Airlines no longer wants to use the BAE-146s, which are outdated and expensive to maintain but were able to handle the technical aspects of Aspen's challenging high-altitude airport.
The airline, which dominates the local commercial-air market and is expected to emerge from bankruptcy next month, went shopping last year for a new plane and a new partner for its profitable Aspen service. During a news conference, the company unveiled the new plane: the 66-seat Bombardier/Canadair Regional Jet 700 (or the CRJ-700 for short).
Starting in April, SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah, will operate the aircraft on behalf of United Airlines. Since October, SkyWest has provided ground-handling services at the Aspen airport for United.
The new service will carry the brand name explus. The soon-to-expire service provided by Air Wisconsin is known as United Express.
"The CRJ 700 is an exciting new aircraft, similar in capacity to the BAE-146 that has served Aspen so well over the past two decades," said Pitkin County Aviation Director Jim Elwood.
He said the dual-engine jets -- the BAE-146 has four engines -- are known for their comfortable seats, large windows and greater leg, head and shoulder room compared to other regional aircraft. It also offers passengers a choice of three seating classes: first class, economy plus and economy.
Aspen Daily News
**Added: It looks as if United is replacing Air Wisconsin with SkyWest only. NOT getting new aircraft and having SkyWest fly them. Just thought to add that to avoid an industry blow-up.**
United Airlines currently serves the local market through a partnership with Air Wisconsin, which flies 88-seat BAE-146 planes between Aspen and Denver. The arrangement between the two companies ends in April. United Airlines no longer wants to use the BAE-146s, which are outdated and expensive to maintain but were able to handle the technical aspects of Aspen's challenging high-altitude airport.
The airline, which dominates the local commercial-air market and is expected to emerge from bankruptcy next month, went shopping last year for a new plane and a new partner for its profitable Aspen service. During a news conference, the company unveiled the new plane: the 66-seat Bombardier/Canadair Regional Jet 700 (or the CRJ-700 for short).
Starting in April, SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah, will operate the aircraft on behalf of United Airlines. Since October, SkyWest has provided ground-handling services at the Aspen airport for United.
The new service will carry the brand name explus. The soon-to-expire service provided by Air Wisconsin is known as United Express.
"The CRJ 700 is an exciting new aircraft, similar in capacity to the BAE-146 that has served Aspen so well over the past two decades," said Pitkin County Aviation Director Jim Elwood.
He said the dual-engine jets -- the BAE-146 has four engines -- are known for their comfortable seats, large windows and greater leg, head and shoulder room compared to other regional aircraft. It also offers passengers a choice of three seating classes: first class, economy plus and economy.
Aspen Daily News
**Added: It looks as if United is replacing Air Wisconsin with SkyWest only. NOT getting new aircraft and having SkyWest fly them. Just thought to add that to avoid an industry blow-up.**
