Northern Pacific Airways, the United States strangest airline startup, has a new idea for launching operations. While the company’s long-term plan is to launch transpacific flights out of Anchorage, the airline might now commence operations out of Saipan instead. Hmmm…
Continue reading: Northern Pacific Airways Could Start Flying From… Saipan?!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
"economy airfare between the United States and Asia is already extremely low"
I totally disagree. Since COVID and Russian airspace closure, the airfare between Northeast Asia and the US has risen dramatically.
I don't know much about the airfares to Japan, but as a Korean I've seen economy fare to/from Korea around $2,000 or more recently.
Especially Korean Air has raised its fare a lot, and other carriers are following.
The airfare was extremely low before COVID when Chinese carriers were dumping, but that's not the case anymore. Chinese carriers will not be back to its normal operation in a couple years, and this lack of competition also results in higher airfare than before.
Norther Pacific Airlines also now seems to have invited some legal wrangling with BNSF over the use of 'Northern Pacific'. The article published in Trains is titled BNSF sues airline over use of 'Northern Pacific' and the suit seeks to halt use of the name by the Alaska-based (so far) start-up.
Northern Pacific used to operate a train network of almost 7000 miles, before it became part of BNSF.
Northern Pacific Airways is now being sued by Northern Pacific over its name.
I don't think people will get confused with a company that isn't using that name for decades.
But legally, it's probably protected.
For a startup that is cash strapped, this doesn't look good.
And the grift continues. With the pending suit maybe they should change their name to Middle Pacific Airways, it'd at least fit geographically.
Maybe not.
Have you forgotten the Jack Abramhoff and Tom Delay scandal from 20 years ago? I wonder if this is a repeat and we will find more Republicans grifting money?
And the most "exciting" part of all: it issues crypto as its FFP currency lmao
Aww, they're going to take advantage of the Marianas to pay 0% taxes on what is expected to be 0% income forever. This is going to be great.
There's a reason Alaska Airlines, even back at the start of deregulation when the only had 12 planes and SEA was the only place outside of Alaska they flew, had their headquarters and maintenance base in SEA.
Trying to recruit not just pilots, but mechanics and HQ people to live in ANC narrows the talent pool considerably and trying to do maintenance in ANC in the winter obviously presents its challenges when you need to have an indoor hanger for a 757.
Over many years this same basic idea has been popping up every now and again with the CNMI. I'm hoping it finally comes to fruition for the community. They really need a break. Cheers to Governor Torres and the CNMI for all their dogged determination and resilience. Strong!