North County-Based Airline Sees Maiden Landing of Cal Pacific Jet

A fledgling Carlsbad-based airline took delivery of its first aircraft Friday—an Embraer 170 regional jet.

California Pacific Airlines, based at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, plans to begin operations this fall, pending regulatory approval.

Its founder is , a 91-year-old businessman who expanded and improved the El Camino and Morgan Run golf courses.

According to its website, the airline plans to fly between Carlsbad and Cabo San Lucas, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, Sacramento and San Jose using aircraft that seat around 70 passengers.

The jet has a white fuselage with a light-blue, dark-blue wave pattern on the tail. The assigned seats and no middle seats.

So far, only United Express operates out of Carlsbad, with commuter flights to Los Angeles. Travelers who live in the North County either have to travel to Lindbergh Field or north to Orange County.

—City News Service