GOLDEN PACIFIC AIRLINES (2): United States (1981-1988)

Maurice Liebman organizes GPA-2 at Kingman, Arizona, in the fall of 1981 to offer Essential Air Services (EAS) scheduled passenger and cargo commuter services linking its base with Phoenix and Prescott. Operations commence in December.

Airline employment in 1982 stands at 27 and the fleet includes 3 Cessna 402s and 2 each Cessna 206s, C-182s, and C-172s. Enplane-ments total of 5,200 passengers and 70,000 pounds of freight on the year. Revenues total $820,000 and expenses are $798,557. Although the operating profit is $21,453, a net loss of $55,737 is suffered.

The workforce is increased 29.6% in 1983 to 35. Las Vegas joins the route network and service is initiated to Ft. Huachuca via Sedona. Passenger traffic triples, up 153% to 13,190 passengers flown. Cargo skyrockets 81.3% to 127,000 pounds. Revenues advance to $1.6 million and provide profits: $236,346 (operating) and $127,922 (net).

The fleet in 1984 includes 4 Cessna 402Bs, 2 Cessna 206s and 1 Cessna 182. Customer bookings increase 60.7% to 22,044 and freight jumps a huge 123.3% to 282,501 pounds.

Passenger boardings climb 13.8% in 1985 to 25,083, but cargo is down by 36.3% to 180,000 pounds.

Operations continue apace in 1986, but the 58-employee small regional suffers a 1.4% dip in enplanements to 24,732.

In 1987, President Liebman adds another C-402. His partnership now sells the carrier to Jerry Holm, who becomes president. Passenger boardings jump 9.3% to 27,031.

A code-sharing arrangement is made with Havasu Airlines in 1988. Maintenance difficulties force the carrier to cease operations in December and no traffic or financial figures are provided to the government for the year.

GPA-2, which returns two of its Cessnas to their lessor, reapplies to the DOT in early 1989 for permission to resume EAS operations. Citing lack of communications from the carrier (including provision of 1988 statistics), DOT dismisses the request.