Thursday June 26 12:11 PM EDT
Company Press Release
Western Pacific Airlines and Mountain Air Express inaugurate Denver service
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 1997--
June 29 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Inaugural Flight
Activities planned
Western Pacific Airlines, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPAC) and its affiliate, Mountain Air Express (MAX) will inaugurate both carriers' Denver entry on Sunday, June
29.
Flight 465, Denver to Seattle, has been designated as Western Pacific's Inaugural Flight and will be preceded by an 8:15 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony near
Gate 53 on the A Concourse.
Western Pacific President and CEO Robert A. Peiser said, ``This Sunday marks a watershed event for Western Pacific. Our Denver entry is something we
have all worked very hard to make happen and we are thrilled to see our efforts become a reality.''
City and airport officials are expected to attend the ceremony as well as Western Pacific officers, crew members and other employees. Festivities will feature
a display of Western Pacific's new amenities, including upgraded customer service uniforms, seat assignments, food service on selected flights and High 5, the
carrier's new frequent flier program.
Sunday marks the introduction of many of these new services, and customers wishing to join up for the High 5 Frequent Flyer Program will have their first
opportunity to join on Sunday morning. The High 5 program will reward frequent flyers quickly and simply. For every five segments flown, customers receive
a free one-way trip. A segment is defined as a one-way trip which does not change flight numbers. A connecting flight will earn a High 5 member two
segments and ten segments will earn a free round-trip ticket. As an example, if a High 5 member takes a flight from Colorado Springs to Denver and then
connects to another city, the member has flown two segments. Applications for the High 5 Frequent Flyer Program will be available at airport check-in
counters and at gates.
Other Western Pacific changes include new tailored, business-casual uniforms and assigned seating. Inflight meal enhancements will feature light breakfast
items such as breakfast breads and yogurt; a variety of gourmet sandwich basket meals; snack items and fresh fruit.
Mark Coleman, senior vice president, marketing and planning, said, ``The total upgrade of our product is essential to attracting today's customer, who has
many choices in air travel. While we will keep the atmosphere fun, we also will deliver the amenities our customers expect.''
The flight to Seattle, departing Denver International Airport at 9:20 a.m. and arriving Seattle at 11:15 a.m., was selected as the Inaugural Flight because the
Mayor of Seattle, Norman B. Rice, was born in Denver in 1943 and grew up in Colorado. Although he moved to Seattle in 1968, Western Pacific President
Robert Peiser will send a special commemorative gift from Colorado on Flight 465.
Western Pacific Airlines is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Effective June 29, 1997, Western Pacific, in combination with its commuter
affiliate Mountain Air Express, plans to operate 69 daily flights from Denver International Airport serving 27 markets. In support of the June 29 schedule,
Western Pacific has taken delivery of two new Boeing 737-300's and plans to take delivery of two additional new 737-300's, bringing the total fleet to 19
aircraft. In addition, the Company will receive two additional 737- 300's by the end of 1997, which would bring its total fleet size to 21 aircraft. |
