Alaska’s Northern Pacific Airlines (NPA) is pushing forward with its plans to launch transpacific routes from its base in Anchorage. The carrier purchased its first six 757-200 aircraft for the effort, with the first delivery expected “immediately.”
Northern Pacific is proud to introduce these powerful aircraft as the foundation of our fleet. The Boeing 757-200 will help us achieve operational savings and efficiencies while offering our customers a rewarding travel experience.
– Rob McKinney, Northern Pacific’s Chief Executive Officer
The new carrier is part of Ravn Alaska’s plan for a massive expansion from its current regional, turboprop operation in Anchorage.
The company plans a handful of destinations in Asia and the Lower 48 to start, and significant growth if the effort proves profitable. That will depend on Asian destinations reopening to US arrivals, among other things. But, like many other airline start-ups, the company took advantage of older aircraft retirements to fill out its fleet.
The initial aircraft will come from AerSale. That company currently owns 17 757-200s, many purchased from American Airlines as it retired its fleet last year.
Should NPA choose to keep the legacy configuration they could enter service with embedded in-flight entertainment (albeit an older system) as well as in-flight connectivity available. Depending on which of the aircraft end up at NPA they could even include flat bed seats for the front section of the aircraft, though AerSale also owns some with regular, domestic first class seats.
All of the AerSale 757s carry the Rolls-Royce RB211 engines offering the performance and range for the Asia service.
Prior to entering service, the aircraft will undergo a full C-level maintenance check by Certified Aviation Services LLC (C.A.S.), a leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (M.R.O.) firm in San Bernardino, California. The Alaska-based carrier intends to continue enlarging its fleet as it prepares for passenger flights.
Read More:
- Ravn Alaska registers Northern Pacific name for transpacific LCC operations
- Ravn Alaska plans international expansion, 757 acquisition, Anchorage hub
A favor to ask while you're here...
Did you enjoy the content? Or learn something useful? Or generally just think this is the type of story you'd like to see more of? Consider supporting the site through a donation (any amount helps). It helps keep me independent and avoiding the credit card schlock.
Leave a Reply