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IN BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION CALIFORNIA START-UP AIRLINE TO OFFER FLIGHTS TO LAS VEGAS By Richard N. Velotta senior staff writer A start-up airline to be based in northern San Diego County has identified McCarran International Airport as one of its initial destinations. California Pacific Airlines, founded by 91-year-old tourism industry veteran Ted Vallas, a one-time World War II bomber pilot, looks to be flying by summer if it obtains its federal certifications on schedule. In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Vallas said the airline is in the final stages of certification. The airline plans to use Embraer E-170 twin-engine jets on its routes and initially would fly between Carlsbad, Calif., and Sacramento, San Jose and Oakland, Calif.; Phoenix; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in addition to Las Vegas. The airline's planned usage of Carlsbad's McClellan-Palomar Airport is a big marketing point, with the airline's website noting that departures from the smaller facility would be easier than flying from San Diego's dominant makes it less expensive and more convenient for passengers to travel. The airline, which company officials refer to as "CP Air," plans to steal a page from the JetBlue and Southwest Airlines playbooks by transporting one suitcase per passenger at no charge like JetBlue and no flight change fees like Southwest. The E-170 jet, built in Brazil, is COURTESY READY FOR TAKEOFF: An artist's rendering depicts the look of the planned CP Air passenger jet. airport, San Diego International, also known as Lindbergh Field, near downtown San Diego. McClellan-Palomar has shorter lines at its Transportation Security Administration check points, $5-a-day parking and rental car counters. The airport also has a U.S. Customs port-of- entry for planned flights from Mexico. The smaller airport, the airline says, relatively new to the market and features wider seats than similar single- aisle planes. The seat configuration is four across so there are no middle seats, and California Pacific will offer assigned seating. A diagram on the airline's website indicates the jets will be configured to hold 74 passengers. Vallas told the Union-Tribune that he has put $13 million of his own resources into financing California Pacific and has raised $6 million, with a goal of $15 million, from local investors. The airline hasn't published flight schedules or ticket prices and hasn't announced a start-up date. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOOK OF LISTS VERY FEW THINGS HAVE A LONGER SHELF LIFE ADVANCE YOUR EDUCATION, ADVANCE YOUR CAREER ® SPAM KETCHUP PACKET HONEY National University, a nonprofi t, WASC-accredited institution, offers more than 100 associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree programs in: YEAR LONG. OUR BOOK OF LISTS DOES. You want 365 days of advertising impact? Reserve ad space in the 2013 Book of Lists. It's a resource that the Valley's top executives use all year long. With thousands of contacts and potential customers, it's something they keep at their fi ngertips, giving you year-round results. Want to prolong the life of your business? Place your ad in the 2013 Book of Lists today. Call a VEGAS INC Advertising Consultant at 702.990.2443 for space reservations or sponsorship opportunities. 2013 Sponsor THERE'S NOT MUCH THAT LASTS ALL - Nursing and Healthcare - Business and Management - Education - Media and Communications - Engineering and Technology - Psychology - Humanities and Liberal Arts Our one-course-per-month format and online or on-campus options help you complete your degree quickly and affordably. Summerlin Online Information Center 10870 West Charleston Blvd, Suite 180 Henderson Campus 2850 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway, Suite 300 www.nu.edu 800.NAT.UNIV 10 An Affi liate of The National University System | 2 APRIL 2012 | 2012 BOOK OF BUSINESS LISTS © 2011 National University 10063