WASHINGTON -- A
proposed new entrant airline called Skybus plans to launch
all-coach, low-fare service from Columbus, Ohio, in early 2006, if
it can get the required governmental approvals and raise at least
$60 million more capital from private investors.
Skybus told the
Transportation Department (DOT) it plans to operate with only one
aircraft type, either 737s or A320s, configured for 130 to 160
seats. Skybus, which believes its low fares would stimulate traffic
in Columbus, plans to grow its fleet from two aircraft to seven in
its first year.
All of the aircraft
would be new, as was the case with startup JetBlue in
2000.
That means Skybus,
like JetBlue when it started, will need to raise lots of cash.
Skybus has $3.5 million in seed money primarily from three
Columbus-based companies -- Huntington Bancshares, Nationwide
Mutual Capital and Wolfe Enterprises -- but it is hoping to raise
$70 million to $100 million in additional capital this year. It
said $60 million should be enough meet the DOTs financial
requirements.
Skybus needs
approval from the DOT and Federal Aviation Administration before it
can fly.
Skybus is currently
searching for a permanent CEO, but its president and chief
operating officer is Kenneth Gile, who worked for Southwest for 25
years, including his last four as director of flight
operations.
If the Skybus name
sounds familiar, its because it also was the name of a Denver-based
startup that flew from June 1985 to December 1986, as well as a
Florida-based low-fare public charter operator that flew in 1992
and 1993.
To contact
reporter Andrew Compart, send e-mail to [email protected].