BEFORE THE 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

Essential Air Service at 

ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA DOT-OST-2002-11446 

Under 49 U.S.C. §41731 et seq.

CITY LINK AIR, INC. (CLA) PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIZED AIR SERVICE 

 AT ALTOONA (AOO), PENNSYLVANIA 

Please address all correspondence to: City Link Air, Inc. 

Telephone: (866) 435-9252 Attn: Joshua G. Newsteder, CEO 

Fax: (888) 259-6008 11890 Hidden Hills Drive

E-Mail: josh@citylinkair.com Jacksonville, FL 32225-1656

CLA submits this proposal to provide subsidized air service from Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh International 

Airport (PIT) to the community of Altoona (AOO), Pennsylvania.

In compliance with Public Law 100-223, CLA proposes to operate these flights using pressurized, 19 

passenger Beechcraft 1900 (BE-1900) turboprop airplanes. Although the BE-1900 is not equipped with 

an onboard lavatory it should be noted that the longest planned flight for this market is 40 minutes. CLA 

may initially operate under FAA scheduled charter rules (Part 135) as it continues to pursue full, Part 121 

certification. If this is the case a similar aircraft will be used until full 121 certification is achieved. 

With an average of 160 daily departures, PIT is the ideal hub to connect Altoona passengers to 37 non 

stops and hundreds of connecting opportunities worldwide. The convenience and proximity to Altoona 

enable CLA to meet connecting schedules without the problems endemic to other, super-saturated hubs. 

Specifically, there are no restrictions on slots and gates. Flow control into Pittsburgh is rarely a problem. 

Planned non-stop service from AOO to PIT takes 40 minutes 

This proposed service begins and ends locally. This provides the best opportunity to quickly fly to/from 

PIT while simultaneously refining robust connection opportunities. 

Working closely with the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), CLA has arranged gate services 

closest to the center of all four concourses. This provides the shortest walking time for passengers to all 

connecting flights while minimizing bag transfer times. 

Interlining agreements will provide passengers with a seamless travel experience. Additionally, CLA will 

pursue codeshare agreements with existing, legacy carriers for greater convenience. 

Meeting early morning and late evening connection banks upholds the true spirit of the EAS program 

while providing these communities with short, reasonably priced service that maximizes connectivity.

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City Link Air

® Redefining Air Travel
Reliability 

The Beechcraft 1900 and 300/350 both have excellent records of dispatch reliability. However, should a 

quick replacement aircraft be required, CLA will have a pre-position spare aircraft located within the 

region. 

Competitively priced, short trips will realize a more leisurely and un-rushed experience for Altoona 

passengers, ultimately resulting in lower overall costs and shorter travel times in many markets.

Customer Advocacy 

Each EAS community served will have a dedicated CLA station manager whose primary job after safety 

will be customer advocacy. It is imperative that our single most important touch point with passengers is 

a full time employee that has the best interests of the community in mind. 

This employee will be a locally recommended, community minded advocate that continuously engages all 

civic interests. This station manager will ensure CLA always provides the best possible air service. 

Service Map for this Proposal

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Essential Air Service

Planned Aircraft

Beechcraft 1900D - Two Pilots

19 Seat, Two Engines, Pressurized Turboprop

Proposal Speed: 230 mph (200 Knots)

Top speed: 	 	 328 mph (285 Knots)

Max. Altitude: 25,000 Feet

Cabin Interior
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Beechcraft 300 / 350 - Two Pilots

9 Seat, Two Engines, Pressurized Turboprop

Proposal Speed: 230 mph (200 Knots)

Top speed: 	 	 328 mph (285 Knots)

Max. Altitude: 31,000 Feet

Essential Air Service

Alternate Aircraft

Cabin Interior

Although City Link Air intends to provide this 

service as an FAA part 121 airline its current 

certification (FAA Part 135) prohibits using the 

19 seat Beech 1900. Therefore, City Link Air 

may use Beechcraft’s 300/350 configured with 

nine seats (pictured here) until full FAA 121 

certification is achieved. 

The 300/350 aircraft performs with similar 

reliability, safety, and speed of the 1900 and 

will always be piloted by two fully qualified 

pilots.
Schedules 

CLA’s schedules will be optimized to achieve the best connection opportunities in Pittsburgh. Planned 

weekday roundtrips to AOO are shown. One day of similar roundtrips would also be offered over the 

weekend, usually split between Saturday morning and Sunday evening. 

Planned typical Monday-Saturday / Sunday Flight Schedule 

 From To Dep. Arr. Stops Price 

 Altoona Pittsburgh 5:45 AM 6:25 AM Non-Stop $75.00 

 Altoona Pittsburgh 11:10 AM 11:50 AM Non-Stop “ 

 Altoona Pittsburgh 4:35 PM 5:15 PM Non-Stop “ 

 From To Dep. Arr. Stops 

 Pittsburgh Altoona 10:00 AM 10:40 AM Non-Stop $75.00 

 Pittsburgh Altoona 3:25 PM 4:05 PM Non-Stop “ 

 Pittsburgh Altoona 9:50 PM 10:31 PM Non-Stop “ 

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Annual Financial & Operational Metric Summary

Aircraft Type Beechcraft 1900 

Departures 1,878 

Block Hours 1,254 

O & D Passengers 13,146 

Average Load Factor 78% (~7 Seats) 

Average One Way Fare $ 75.00 

Statute Miles Flown 202,166 

Revenue Passenger Miles (000) 1,415 

Available Seat Miles (000) 1,819 

Annual Revenue 

Gross Ticket Revenue $ 985,950 

Fees (PFC, 911, FET, & SF) $ 346,068 

Net Ticket Revenue $ 639,882 

Annual Expenses 

Distribution (GDS, OTA, CC) $ 92,433 

Fuel & Consumables $ 556,320 

Personnel $ 836,775 

Maint. & Maint. Reserves $ 444,324 

Station Fees & Rents $ 268,771 

Aircraft Rents $ 295,282 

Marketing $ 80,000 

Other Fixed and Variable Overhead $ 150,000 

Total Annual Expenses $ 2,723,905 

Profit (loss) $ (2,084,024)

5% Margin on Cost $ 136,195 

Required EAS Subsidy $ 2,220,219 

Required EAS Subsidy per Pax $ 169 

Respectfully Submitted: April 17, 2014 

Joshua G. Newsteder 

Chief Executive Officer 

City Link Air, Inc.

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