MBA AIRLINES OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PTY.), LTD.: Jacksons Airport, Box 170, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Phone 675 325-0555; Fax 675 325-2219; Http://www. mbapng. com; Code CG; Year Founded 1994. During 1994, the 250-employee, Port Moresby-based Milne Bay Air (Pty.), Ltd. of Chairman John R. Wild and Managing Director Simon D. Wild is renamed. The initial fleet includes 3 Beech King Air 100s, 1 Cessna 550 Citation II, 2 de Havilland DHC-6-200 Twin Otters, 1 DHC-6-300, and 1 Dornier 228-200. During the year, 5 additional Dornier 228-200s, 4 DHC-6-300s, and 2 Super King Air 200s will be added, the latter replacing the 3 King Air 100s. The request for a Dornier 328-100 is cancelled and replaced with an order for a Beech 1900D.
From its base at Port Moresby, the company continues to offer scheduled flights to Alotau, Amazon Bay, Balimo, Baimuru, Cape Vogel, Daru, Fane, Hagen, Ihu, Kerema, Kikori, Kiunga, Kuri, Lae, Lousia, Mendi, Mount Misima, Porgera, Tabubil, Tari, Tufi, Vivgani, Wanigela, and Safia.
On July 12, 1995, just after takeoff from Alotou on a service to Dagura, an in-flight fire develops on a DHC-6-300 with 2 crew and 13 passengers; the Twin Otter goes out of control and crashes into shallow water two km. off the runway. There are no survivors.
While on a charter on July 9, 1996, a DHC-6-300 with 1 pilot and 19 passengers, strikes a 9,200-ft. mountain 5 mi. from Mendi; there are no survivors.
At the request of the Papua New Guinea government, MBA, in 1996, embarks on a program to raise its operations from charter to the scheduled airline level. Plans are made for the receipt of a license for international airline operations.
While on a July 9 charter, a DHC-6-300 with a pilot and 19 passengers, strikes a 9,200-ft. mountain 5 mi. from Mendi; there are no survivors.
During the first quarter of 1997, the carrier makes a significant purchase from Bombardier. In addition to one each DHC-8-101 and DHC-102 formerly operated by NorOntair (Ontario Northland Air Services, Ltd.), plus four of its six DHC-6-300s, MBA orders a pair of DHC-8-200s for delivery in September 1998.
Meanwhile, in March, MBA receives its certification as Papua New Guinea’s second international airline and becomes a regional subsidiary of Qantas Airways (Pty.), Ltd. New routes are started from Gurney-Carins, Port Moresby-Cairns-Townsville, Daru-Cairns, and Daru-Merauke (Irian Jaya). At this point, the fleet is also boosted by the addition of two Beech 1900Ds.
No sooner has the carrier launched its new routes than some of them have to be suspended due to the Asian currency crisis that begins in late August. Delivery of the Dash-8-200s is cancelled.
The first class of cadets is graduated from the Coolangatta-based MBA Flight Training Australia division in September 1998 and all begin their flying careers with the parent airline in Papua New Guinea. Unhappily, due to economic difficulties, service to Australia must be halted.
Flights continue in 1999-2000. As the Asian economic situation improves during these years, the routes suspended in 1997 are resumed. At the start of the new millennium, MBA employs 65 pilots and operates 1 each DHC-8-101/102, 2 Beech 1900Ds, 7 DHC-6-300s, and 1 Super King Air 200. The 1900Ds are now mainly employed on corporate charters, many made for Chevron Niugini (Pty.), Ltd., which remains the largest corporate client.
MC AVIATION: 7240 Hayvenhurst Ave., Van Nuys, California 91406, United States; Phone (818) 904-9860; Fax (818) 904-0234; Year Founded 1995. Joe and Linda McGuire establish this fleet management and executive charter concern at Van Nuys Airport in 1995 to provide worldwide passenger flights. Nonscheduled services begin and continue with one each Grumman G-1159A Gulfstream IIIs and a British Aerospace BAe (HS) 125-700 Hawker.
MCCARTHY AIR ALASKA: Box 16, McCarthy, Alaska 99588, United States; Phone (907) 554-4440; Http://www. mccarthyair. com; Year Founded 1975. Gary and Nancy Green establish this small air taxi in 1975 to fly backpackers, wilderness hikers, and remote campers into the Wrangell9St. Elias National Park area. Flight-seeing tours are also offered over glaciers, icefalls, and mile-high cliffs. Lightplane operations continue.
Lightplane operations continue and in 1999 a homepage is opened on the World Wide Web.
MCCLAIN AIRLINES: United States (1983-1988). Former Trans World Airlines (TWA) and Marriott hotel executive Thomas J. A. McClain establishes this niche carrier at Phoenix, Arizona, in April 1983. Plans are made to inaugurate all first-class Boeing 727-200 services at coach-class rates to Chicago, New York, and Dallas (DFW).
In mid-1984, company officials discuss the possibilities of a merger with St. Louis-based Air 1, but negotiations fail. By December 25, 1985, McClain has acquired over $50 million in equity and lease financing.
Under the government’s “use it or lose it” certification rule, McClain officially inaugurates services on September 25, 1986 with a lone B-727-100 roundtrip flight from Chicago (ORD) to Rockford, Illinois.
Requiring a break-even load factor of 32 passengers, executives initially expect to board 18-20 on every flight and build from there with such amenities as extra flight attendants, meals prepared in flight in “flying kitchens” and served upscale with silver and china, and telephones available at every seat.
B-727-100 twice-daily all first-class scheduled roundtrip services are finally inaugurated from Chicago to Los Angeles and to Phoenix on October 15, with a single daily Phoenix-Los Angeles frequency also available. These services replace the Rockford expedient.
On November 1, company officials announce that it will reward passengers who, in the next 2 years, accumulate 125,000 miles with the free use of one of five luxury European automobiles for a year.
These initiatives generate little traffic; 2-4 passengers are the norm for the first several weeks, and there is no positive income. As a result, three of the company’s five B-727-100s are grounded on February 4, 1987. However, the payment dispute causing this action is set aside the next day, allowing flights to resume. Still faced with its lessor’s debts, McClain stops operating on February 23. Chapter XI bankruptcy is declared in March and although efforts are made during the remainder of the year to restart operations, they are all unsuccessful.
As a consequence of the company’s inability to resume services, the DOT, early in 1988, revokes McClain’s fitness certificate, forcing it to turn in its operating certificate in May.
MCCULLOCH INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: United States (1969-1979). Long Beach, California-based MA is organized in mid-1969 to transport potential McCullough Properties real estate customers on site visitation flights. Lift is provided with a fleet of seven previously employed Lockheed L-188A Electras.
In order to convert its subsidiary into a strong and active full-service charter operator, McCulloch in 1970 purchases Vance International Airways from its owner Vance Roberts and merges it, keeping the McCulloch name. Following acquisition, the amalgamated carrier offers nonscheduled charter flights over Vance’s old routes to Mexico and Canada.
Revenues for the year are $2,423,772. Fiscal losses are suffered: $101,763 (operating) and $51,616 (net).
McCulloch changes its name to McCulloch International Airlines in early 1971 and is outfitted with the seven L-188As of the previous operation. Four additional Lockheed units and nine Douglas DC-8s are also obtained.
Enplanements for the year total 94,800.
Flying 9 Douglas DC-8s and 11 Electras, the country’s 7th largest supplemental carrier in 1972 employs 245.
Passenger boardings increase 21% to 120,000 and revenue passenger miles flown advance 26% to 171 million. Income advances to $15.38 million, but expenses advance even more, up to $16.16 million. Consequently, losses continue: $781,000 (operating) and $516,000 (net).
The workforce in 1973 totals 190. Customer bookings fall 32.4% to 69,000. Despite this downturn, the company is able to keep its expenses under control.
Revenues total $9.93 million and costs are $9.19. The previous year’s losses are turned around and shareholders see an operating profit of $736,000 and a net gain of $531,000.
The U. S. economic downturn brings a very bad year to McCulloch in 1974. In an effort to cut costs, many aircraft are grounded and sold (including all of the DC-8s) and the workforce is cut to only 94 by year’s end.
Passenger boardings drop again, down by 48% to 36,000. Income falls to $8.61 million while expenses are slightly higher at $8.66 million. The operating loss is $49,000. Still, a $212,000 net profit is realized, largely as the result of assistance from the parent real estate firm.
The workforce in 1975 is 140. Four leased B-720-022s join the four Electras remaining in the fleet. In October, 81% shareholding is acquired by the FGH Financial Corporation. Plans are made to expand into Mexican and Hawaiian markets.
Passenger bookings skyrocket 47.2% to 53,000. Although revenues total $7.78 million, expenses are up to $8.38 million. A $600,000 operating loss is taken, although other arrangements allow an $87,000 net profit.
The fleet in 1976 comprises 4 leased Boeing B-720-022s and 4 Lockheed L-188A Electras. One of the latter is contracted in March to transport the entourage of singer Elvis Presley during a U. S. concert tour; “the King” travels in his own Convair CV-880 Lisa Marie.
Customer bookings decline 15.3% to 45,000. Expenses grow again this year, rising to $10.11 million on revenues of $8.23 million. The operating loss climbs to $1.87 million while a $2.18-million net loss is difficult to digest.
Another Electra is withdrawn in 1977 as the fiscal situation continues to deteriorate. Figures are unavailable for either traffic or revenues.
In 1978, President John E. Gallagher oversees a workforce of 310 and a fleet increased only by the addition of a Grumman Gulfstream. No passengers are carried and freight FTKs operated totals only 149,000.
Unable to weather declining traffic and higher fuel prices, the carrier ceases operations in 1979.
MCGEE AIRWAYS. See ALASKAAIRLINES
MCKINLEY AIR CHARTER (PTY.), LTD. (MACAIR): P. O. Box 7191, Garbutt, Townsville, Queensland, 4814, Australia; Phone (07) 4728 2403; Fax (07) 4775 5076; Http://www. macair. com. au; Code CC; Year Founded 1963. Macair is established at Townsville in 1963 to provide passenger and cargo charters, particularly on behalf of the energy industry, throughout the northwest portion of the Australian state of Queensland.
This lightplane operation is purchased by the Collings family in 1992, at which point the carrier enhances its corporate services, while also becoming an affiliate of Qantas Airways (Pty.), Ltd.
During the remainder of the decade, the fleet of Managing Director Peter Collings undertakes scheduled service from Townsville and Brisbane to Cloncurry and Mount Isa, from Macay to Brampton Island (site of P&O Australia Resorts), and from Cairns to Cooktown and Mount Isa. Flights are also offered to Lizard and Dunk Island, where P&O Australia Resorts also maintains holiday facilities.
A large number of fly-in/fly-out services are provided for corporate clients: 276 km. SW from Cairns to the Kidston gold mine site at Placer Dome; 230 km. N from Mount Isa to the Century mine at Pasminco; 704 km. W from Townsville to the Selwyn mine; 733 km. W from Townsville to the Eloise mine of Amalgamated Resources; from Townsville and Brisbane to the Ernest Henry Mine located 40 km. N of Cloncurry; 707 km. W from Townsville to the Osborne mine at Placer Dome; and 664 km. W from Townsville to the Cannington mine of BHP Minerals.
Enplanements for scheduled services total 30,000 in 1999. During the year, the company becomes a feeder affiliate of Qantas Airways (Pty.), Ltd.
The workforce at the beginning of 2000 totals 76. By now, Peter Collings is one of three board members, one of whom includes his managing director successor Randal McFarlane. The fleet now includes 2 SAAB 340Bs, 1 Fairchild Metro 23, 4 Embraer EMB-110P1 Ban-deirantes, 3 DHC-6-300 Twin Otters, and 4 Fairchild Metro IIIs, 1 of which is chartered from Pelair Aviation (Pty.), Ltd.
AsiaPulse News reports on May 12 that the company will soon be merged with Transtate Airlines (Pty.), Ltd., with the Macair name surviving. The Cairns-based small regional, formed in 1996 as the airline subsidiary of Transjet Corporation (Pty.), Ltd., which also operates Jet-craft Aviation (Pty.), Ltd., operates scheduled services to Cooktown, Normanton, Karuba, Mornington Island, and Mount Isa in northern and western Queensland. Under a long-term contract with P&O Australian Resorts, it also flies to Dunk, Brampton and Lizard Islands.
When the event occurs a month later, the passenger activities of Transtate are passed to Macair, while Jetcraft Aviation (Pty.), Ltd. continues to provide express freight services. The Macair fleet is now enlarged to over 30 aircraft, including several additional Metro IIIs.
Although the Transtate homepage on the World Wide Web will remain up in early 2001, visitors to it are forwarded to the Macair site.
World History
