Air Fresno to close after 8 year run.

[Guest airfresno]

August 4, 2006 - Fresno, CaliforniaIt's been more than 8 years and 5 months since I opened Air Fresno. Since that time I have had to close it occasionally when life interrupted fantasy. But I always tried to get it back open and have a little fun. And it has been fun. But on December 31, 2006, this airline, this legacy, will close forever. Air Fresno was designed to be a regional airline from the beginning. Over the years I've tried so many times to make it more, and never really succeeded. In 1999 we topped with 114 pilots, the best it ever was. We were only the 4th airline to ever get its own domain that same year, now its common place. Air Fresno won quite a few awards, but lately it's been lagging, and that's where life again interrupts fantasy. I have currently 3 VA's and an aircraft painting service, this in addition to real work family, running a business, etc. With the deployment of my good friend and VP Tom Munoz to Afghanistan, I have closed both AVA and Aleutian Airways, and have seriously reconsidered keeping the paint shop open. Tom's help with all my projects has been immeasurable; his absence will be felt in just about everything I do. So many drawing board projects are now being put on hold or erased altogether. But Air Fresno will spawn a replacement airline, west coast based but out of the Fresno area. It will be extensively regional and accept many elements of real world airlines operating in the west, both past and current. Work will begin on this new concept on September 1st, the day Tom deploys, and the result of that work will open New Years Day, 2007. It will be announced here first, so watch for details. Air Fresno's last day of operation will be December 1, 2006. I want to thank everyone who participated in this wonderful experience.

[Guest PWA0023]

Peter-I am sorry to hear that! Best of luck to all at Air Fresno!!!

[Guest airfresno]

Thanks,Air Fresno was fun, an 8 year long learning experience. I'm hoping to incorporate things like an online flight reporting service with the new project. Unfortunately being "Old Skool" I don't know too much, but the FSCARS system looks interesting. I've never flown online due to a slow dial-up connection (yes, there are those of us out here like that), so that upgrade is coming soon too.All in all I'm taking some time off and working the new project up slowly and carefully, with lots of outside advice.