Category Archives: PEOPLExpress Airlines (2nd)

Vision Airlines paints its first Boeing 737-400 for the latest PEOPLExpress

Vision Airlines (Las Vegas) has painted its first Boeing 737-400 for the new PEOPLExpress (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg). Boeing 737-405 N745VA (msn 24271) is pictured after receiving its new look. Under the agreement just announced, Vision will operate four 737-400s under the reincarnated PEOPLExpress brand from the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) (see below). The agreement comes at a good time. Vision has been experimenting with a lot of scheduled routes over the past few years as we detailed in previous reports. Currently the scheduled route map for Vision has shrunk to these two routes to Biloxi/Gulfport in Mississippi:

Top Copyright Photo: PEOPLExpress (2nd)/Vision Airlines.

Vision Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photo: PEOPLExpress (2nd). An aerial view of the terminal at the new base for PEOPLExpress (2nd), Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport.

PEOPLExpress to start operations on June 30, announces its other new routes

PEOPLExpress (2nd) (Vision Airlines dba) (Newport News/Williamsburg) today announced it will commence scheduled passenger operations on June 30 to Boston, Newark and Pittsburgh. Vision Airlines will be operating three Boeing 737-400s under the revived PEOPLExpress brand. The new airline also announced further routes that will be introduced this summer after the initial routes. The company issued this statement:

PEOPLExpress™, the iconic brand that made air travel affordable and accessible, returns to the skies June 30 with low-fare service from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport to three cities: Boston, Newark, and Pittsburgh.

PEOPLExpress today announced its inaugural schedule at a kick-off event today with Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, local dignitaries, airport officials and new employees. The schedule includes four additional destinations: West Palm Beach, Florida (starting July 15), Atlanta (August 1), and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida, and New Orleans (August 28).

Vision Airlines, dba PEOPLExpress, will fly Boeing 737-400 aircraft operated by Vision Airlines bearing the logo of the popular 1980s carrier of the same name but with a fresh, green livery.

“From the very beginning, PEOPLExpress was designed to provide a fun, creative and innovative approach to air travel to dispel the myth that low air fares have to mean low service or an impersonal experience,” said Jeff Erickson, a long-time airline executive, on behalf of the carrier. “PEOPLExpress is restoring the concepts of respect, value and excitement to the air travel experience.”

The PEOPLExpress management team identified opportunities in underserved markets from Newport News while developing a service model built on a great experience at a great price.

“Air travel had become an unpleasant, difficult and costly experience for many travelers – and in response to that need the new PEOPLExpress was born with a name that left an indelible mark on aviation history,” Erickson said.

Images and map: PEOPLExpress.

Route Map:

The new PEOPLExpress wants to start flying to Newark before July 1

People Express Airlines (stylized as PEOPLExpress Airlines) (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg, Virginia) wants to start operations before July 1. No schedules have yet been announced.

The new airline has been in funding phase. The first route is planned to be from Newport News/Williamburg, VA (PHF) to Newark (EWR) with six flights a week using Boeing 737 aircraft. Previously in June 2013 PEOPLExpress announced its intention to acquire Xtra Airways (Boise) but this prospective deal appears to be on hold.

Jeffrey Erickson is the current CEO after founder Michael Morisi resigned from the position. Mr. Morisi remains as an advisor.

Founded in 2012 as we have previously reported, the new version of PEOPLExpress the prospective airline describes itself this way:

After an over 25-year absence, the airline synonymous with low-cost fares and a focus on customer service is preparing to return to the skies. By applying the attributes of value, integrity and ingenuity that the original PEOPLExpress™ was known for, we will address the rising level of consumer frustration and disappointment with air travel today, and we are confident that the new PEOPLExpress™ will once again become the airline of choice.

While reviving an iconic brand in aviation is a part of our heritage, we’re not looking to the past to find our success. Led by our experienced team of professionals, our forward looking product development efforts have helped us to develop a service product which we are confident will be warmly embraced by today’s air travelers and will ensure a total customer experience unlike any other. An experience where personal attention and technology each play a role and an experience that has been designed from the outset to surprise customers and surpass their expectations. We will be making travel exciting and fun again!

PEOPLExpress is about People – the people who work for us, and the people who fly with us. We are building the Smart Alternative.
Mission

Our mission is to provide affordable, nonstop jet air service between cities that are underserved by major carriers in the United States.
Description

PEOPLExpress will offer the best value and most enjoyable customer experience in air travel.

Note: People Express Airlines, Inc. has applications pending with the U.S. Department of Transportation and is not yet a certificated airline.

Read the full story from the Daily Press: CLICK HERE

PEOPLExpress Airlines (1st):

Images: PEOPLExpress Airlines.

A new PEOPLExpress Airlines is born!

PEOPLExpress (People Express Airlines) Boeing 737-130 N402PE (msn 19019) MIA (Bruce Drum) (historic photo), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

PEOPLExpress Airlines (2nd) (Newport News/Williamsburg) is the latest new paper airline.

The prospective low-fare airline issued the following statement today:

“PEOPLExpress Airlines will take to the skies in 2012. At a press conference today (February 13) at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) in Newport News, Virginia, the low-cost carrier announced it plans to begin service this coming summer. With a mission to serve markets currently underserved by major carriers, PEOPLExpress will offer deeply discounted fares to select cities in the eastern U.S. beginning with its base of operations at PHF. The arrival of the new carrier will also bring with it a significant number of jobs to the Hampton Roads area.

PEOPLExpress has filed its initial certification paperwork with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will shortly file an application with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to become a regularly scheduled passenger airline. Following approval from the FAA and DOT, PEOPLExpress will announce its plan to begin taking reservations.

The legacy namesake of the new PEOPLExpress operated in the United States from 1981 to 1987, and was at one time the fifth largest domestic airline with flights to most major U.S. cities, as well as select European destinations. The original PEOPLExpress changed the face of the airline industry in the 1980s, and the revived brand vows to re-ignite the brand’s unique spirit of innovation to address today’s market needs.

Mike Morisi, Chief Operating Officer and one of the champions of the rebirthed PEOPLExpress commented, “With the recent decline in airline service due to mergers and consolidations, we have all had to travel farther out of our way to get anywhere. Flights are more expensive and the many ancillary fees make flying a hassle. Our goal is to make flying fun again. We will eliminate most fees for items such as checked bags and seat assignments aboard our fleet of Boeing 737-400 aircraft. Passengers will be seated in a single cabin with 158 seats with a pricing structure that is significantly more affordable than regional service provided by feeder airlines.”

Steve Mallon, Chairman of the Peninsula Airport Commission said, “We are excited to have an opportunity to work with PEOPLExpress as they launch new air service into the industry. PEOPLExpress’s model for great customer service and low fares should be a hit with our community.”

Hampton Roads residents will have access to affordable, non-stop service, but they are not the only beneficiaries. With a short drive to popular destinations like Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Williamsburg and the Outer Banks of North Carolina from the PHF, PEOPLExpress service will be a convenient, low-cost option for in-bound business, military, and leisure travelers. This same low-cost service will be offered to other cities, such as Pittsburgh, PA, Providence, RI, West Palm Beach, FL and Newark, NJ, where airline consolidation over the past few years has led to a reduction of nonstop air service.

The arrival of the PEOPLExpress at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport also means a boost for the local economy in job creation. Newport News will serve as a base for pilots, ground and inflight customer service personnel, mechanics, reservationists, operations personnel, and administrative staff. In addition, the presence of PEOPLExpress will also stimulate an equal or greater number of jobs in support industries such as hotels, rental cars, restaurants, tourism attractions, housing, and corporate relocations for the region. PEOPLExpress has leased 15,000 square feet of space in the old terminal building at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport for their corporate headquarters.

In support of its emergence, the airline is working with the investment banking firm of WR Hambrecht & Co. to complete the financing necessary to meet the airline’s start up needs. WR Hambrecht & Co. has the distinction of having financed the original PEOPLExpress Airlines as well as Apple, LinkedIn, Google, Genentech and dozens of others.”

Original PEOPLExpress (1st) co-founder Hap Pareti is also involved as an unpaid “advisor” according to this article by dailypress.com.

Read the article: CLICK HERE

The would-be proposed airline is using the same logo and type style as the first PEOPLExpress but a new green color scheme is being developed.