Las Vegas Sun

November 9, 2009

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Smaller planes may be explored

Monday, Nov. 5, 2001 | 9:34 a.m.

Under the right circumstances, Las Vegas-based National Airlines would consider bringing smaller aircraft types into its fleet, a company spokesman said.

National spokesman Dik Shimizu said employees have inquired internally about the prospect of adding new aircraft types to the fleet. Currently, National uses 15 Boeing 757 jets, each capable of carrying 175 passengers.

A report by Airlinersonline.com said National is considering adding Boeing 737 or MD-90 jets for short-haul flights with smaller loads. Those planes are capable of carrying between 100 and 150 passengers, depending on the model.

The airline, which is operating under bankruptcy protection, would consider such a move after analyzing the benefits of cost savings against the additional expenses of training crews to use a different type plane, building a spare-parts inventory for maintenance and taking away some customer convenience, Shimizu said.

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