AirCal to Begin Service to San Diego

AirCal announced Friday that it plans to begin service between San Diego and Orange counties on April 1, with six daily round trips between the two spots.

The announcement marks the first time in seven years that the Newport Beach-based carrier will offer service between its home base and that of its arch rival, Pacific Southwest Airlines.

However, an AirCal spokesman discounted the importance of the PSA connection. “We don’t make decisions based on how PSA will be affected. San Diego is a natural extension of our market,” said Bill Bell, vice president of corporate and public affairs. The AirCal service will provide the only flights between Orange County and San Diego and some of the introductory flights will be as low as $19.

Bell said the airline plans to operate the service with new British Aerospace aircraft, purchased for more than $100 million. The new aircraft will also fly from San Diego to San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento. He said the airline has already hired more than 50 new pilots to fly the planes.

AirCal served the San Diego market in the 1970’s, then suspended service in 1979 when business fell off.