Western Pacific Airlines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Predecessor | Commercial Air |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Edward Gaylord |
| Defunct | February 1998 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy; ceased operations |
| Headquarters | El Paso County, near Colorado Springs, Colorado , United States |
Area served | United States (primarily west of the Mississippi River) |
Key people | Edward Gaylord |
| Products | Passenger air transport |
| Parent | Gaylord Entertainment Company |
Western Pacific Airlines, commonly known as WestPac, was an American low-fare airline that operated between 1995 and 1998. Established in 1994 under the name Commercial Air before undergoing rebranding, it commenced its scheduled passenger services on April 28, 1995, utilizing a fleet of eight Boeing 737-300 aircraft. Edward Gaylord of Gaylord Entertainment Company was instrumental in both the airline's creation and its leadership. The company’s main office was situated in an unincorporated area of El Paso County, near Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Starting operations from Colorado Springs Airport, Western Pacific initially concentrated on routes west of the Mississippi River. As it expanded its fleet with additional Boeing 737-300s, the airline extended service to markets on the U.S. east coast and the western seaboard. The carrier also operated leased Boeing 727-200 aircraft. Despite these growth initiatives, Western Pacific ultimately declared bankruptcy and terminated all operations in February 1998.
Color in the Sky
WestPac’s fleet was notable for its unique liveries, frequently painted as logojets that showcased regional enterprises and entertainment brands to boost brand recognition. Some of the promotional liveries included:
- Stardust Resort & Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada (N950WP)
- Purgatory Ski Resort – Durango, Colorado (N946WP)
- Womack's Casino – Cripple Creek, Colorado (N962WP)
- Crested Butte Resort – Gunnison, Colorado (N953WP)
- The Broadmoor – Colorado Springs, Colorado (N947WP)
- Thrifty Car Rental – U.S. car rental franchise (N961WP)
- ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy – Colorado Springs (N375TA)
- The Simpsons – FOX television series (N949WP)
- Spirit of Durango – Durango Tourism Board (N946WP)
- Security Service Federal Credit Union – Colorado-based credit union (N948WP)
- Colorado Tech University – Denver & Colorado Springs campuses (N503AU)
- City of Colorado Springs Tourism Board (N951WP)
- Sam's Town – Boyd Gaming locations in Las Vegas, Kansas City, and Tunica (N955WP, N956WP)
Additional non-branded special liveries featured:
- Spring Fling Jet (N962WP)
- “Beat the System” (N301AU)
- Winter Wonder Plane (N962WP)
- Super Summer Saver Jet (N962WP)
- Future Logo Jet (N372US)
A significant marketing partnership with Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Broadcasting Company aired nationally in September 1995 during The Simpsons episode titled “Who Shot Mr. Burns?”, where viewers could win complimentary air travel by correctly answering a contest question.
Expansion
In 1996, Western Pacific played a pivotal role in establishing commuter carrier Mountain Air Express (MAX), which operated Dornier 328 turboprop aircraft to channel passengers into Western Pacific’s hubs first at Colorado Springs and subsequently at Denver.
In 1995, to broaden its route network to include Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Western Pacific leased two Boeing 727-200 planes from Express One International.
Decline
The announcement in 1989 that Denver International Airport would replace Stapleton International Airport had far-reaching consequences. Funded through bonds without federal assistance, the new airport imposed significantly higher landing fees and was situated twice as far from downtown Denver. This led Continental Airlines to shut down its Denver hub operations, leaving only United Airlines as the dominant carrier in the region.
To circumvent elevated costs, airlines sought alternative hubs. Western Pacific selected Colorado Springs Airport, favoring it over both Centennial Airport and Jeffco Airport, successfully redirecting some passenger traffic away from Denver. However, by 1997 the airline had endured two consecutive years without profitability. The southern location of Colorado Springs relative to Denver restricted its attractiveness across the broader Front Range corridor.
In 1997 Western Pacific relocated its hub to Denver International Airport. Soon thereafter, it revealed intentions to acquire rival Denver-based carrier Frontier Airlines, a startup operating under the historic Frontier brand and utilizing former Continental gates at Denver International. The two carriers entered a code-share agreement with Frontier managing secondary flight schedules while plans for expanding at Colorado Springs were put on hold.
During financial due diligence, Frontier’s lenders examined Western Pacific’s fiscal condition and subsequently withdrew support for the merger. This development triggered Western Pacific’s bankruptcy filing and nearly caused Frontier’s collapse.
Western Pacific proceeded with Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings in February 1998. Frontier Airlines survived this period and today operates a jet fleet approximately twice as large as what had been envisioned for the combined entities.
Destinations
Western Pacific Airlines served a variety of U.S. cities, initially establishing its primary hub in Colorado Springs before shifting main operations to Denver. The airline's principal destinations encompassed:
- Arizona: Phoenix (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)
- California: Los Angeles, Ontario, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose
- Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver
- Florida: Miami, Orlando
- Georgia: Atlanta
- Illinois: Chicago
- Indiana: Indianapolis
- Kansas: Wichita
- Missouri: Kansas City (also covered by subsidiary Mountain Air Express)
- Nevada: Las Vegas
- New Jersey: Newark
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma City and Tulsa (also served by Mountain Air Express)
- Oregon: Portland
- Tennessee: Nashville
- Texas: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio
- Virginia: Washington D.C. region (Washington Dulles International Airport)
- Washington: Seattle/Tacoma
Mountain Air Express destinations
Mountain Air Express (MAX), a fully owned regional affiliate of Western Pacific, operated Dornier 328 turboprop aircraft to provide feeder service through codeshare agreements. Its route network included:
- Albuquerque, NM; Aspen, CO; Casper, WY; Cheyenne, WY; Colorado Springs, CO; Denver, CO; Grand Junction, CO; Gunnison, CO; Hayden/Steamboat Springs, CO; Kansas City, MO; Oklahoma City, OK; Salt Lake City, UT; Santa Fe, NM; Tulsa, OK
This regional operation supported Western Pacific’s overall strategy by broadening market access and improving connectivity within key western U.S. regions.
Fleet
- 2 - Boeing 727-200 aircraft leased from Express One to facilitate new route expansion
- 20 - Boeing 737-300 jets forming the core fleet
- Boeing 737-700 aircraft ordered but not delivered prior to the end of scheduled service
The codeshare partner Mountain Air Express utilized Dornier 328 turboprop planes.