Northern Pacific Airways Delays Inaugural US Flight with New Aircraft Fleet

Northern Pacific Airways, a recent addition to the United States airline market, has announced a delay in its inaugural commercial flight, leaving travelers awaiting their first journey without a specific reason given for the setback.

Initially scheduled for June 23, 2023, the airline’s maiden voyage will now take place on July 14, 2023, as per an official statement emailed to AeroTime.

Northern Pacific Airways’ CEO, Rob McKinney, expressed excitement about the upcoming launch, stating, “It’s been a long road, but we are truly excited about welcoming our guests onboard on the 14th of July.”

The airline revealed that it is currently in the final stages of obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to commence commercial service, and they are proud of the progress made so far. McKinney stated, “I am proud to say that we have successfully completed many of the challenging regulatory milestones required to start service and are excited to be in the home stretch.”

In a previous announcement in March 2023, Northern Pacific Airways disclosed a change in its initial plans. Instead of connecting mainland US and Japan and South Korea via Alaska, the airline will inaugurate its operations with a domestic route between Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Las Vegas International Airport (LAS). ONT is conveniently located just outside Los Angeles’ metropolitan area.

The airline explained the decision, saying, “Why, you ask? Simply put, we want to make sure that we can deliver the best possible service to our customers before expanding to international destinations. By starting with this popular domestic route, we’re able to fine-tune our operations, provide exceptional customer service, and perfect our in-flight amenities.”

Northern Pacific Airways currently operates with four Boeing 757-200 aircraft in its fleet, all of which have been in storage since 2022, according to data from planespotters.net. Additionally, the carrier plans to add three more aircraft of the same type to its fleet soon.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) list of certified Part 121 operators confirms that Northern Pacific Airways holds an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). With the regulatory processes near completion, the airline is gearing up to serve customers and showcase its services with its newly acquired aircraft fleet.