A.V. AIR SERVICE MAY START IN MAY.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

PALMDALE - Airline service in Palmdale could begin in May if security arrangements can be ironed out, officials said last week.

Las Vegas-based Scenic Airlines had planned to start Palmdale flights on April 2, but discussions over security with the Air Force and the federal Transportation Security Administration will push that date back. A security plan is being reviewed by federal officials.

``We're looking at mid- to late May,'' said Mary Schneider, the airline's vice president of finance. ``That gives us some marketing time. We would like to have 45 to 60 days to do some marketing.''

Scenic Airlines, best known for its Grand Canyon sightseeing flights, plans to offer 12 round trips per week between the Palmdale Regional Airport terminal at Plant 42 and Las Vegas. The airline uses 19-seat propeller-driven DeHavilland Twin Otter aircraft.

The main issue to be resolved in starting up passenger flights is security, since the planes would use the runways on Air Force Plant 42 and the Palmdale Regional Airport terminal is on land leased by Los Angeles World Airports from the Air Force.

Looking to protect a military production and flight test installation with facilities valued at over $1.3 billion, Air Force officials wants a security plan that will address the screening of passengers and baggage.

Under rules set up by the Transportation Security Administration, the agency created in the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Scenic is not required to screen passengers or baggage, because the airline uses planes seating only 19.

Under TSA rules, Scenic must conduct criminal background checks on aircraft crew members and certain ground-support personnel, take measures to keep passengers away from the aircraft's flight cabin. and check passenger's identifications against a no-fly list.

However, the agreement that allows Los Angeles World Airports - Los Angeles' airports department - to use Plant 42 for commercial flights gives the Air Force authority over security on Palmdale passenger flights.

``The discussions are progressing well,'' said Lt. Col. Ronald Ortiz, Plant 42's commander. ``We're a lot further along today than we were two weeks ago.''

Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford said he was optimistic a resolution would come soon.

``I think some of the confusion has been cleared up,'' Ledford said. ``That should help get a resolution to this question.''

During a City Council meeting last December, Scenic Airlines officials said they planned to target the recreation market: Southern Californians wanting to fly to Las Vegas for the casinos and shows, as well as Nevadans and international tourists who want to fly from Las Vegas to Southern California for attractions such as Magic Mountain and Universal Studios.

Company officials expect air passengers to find fares cheaper for connecting flights out of Las Vegas than from Los Angeles International Airport. Flights are expected to take about 40 minutes each way. The planes will land in North Las Vegas, with the company planning to offer free transfers to and from McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas' main airport.

Founded in 1967, the company started out offering sightseeing flights of the Grand Canyon. The company's operations expanded to include flights to Bryce Canyon and Monument Valley in Utah; Sedona, Ariz.; and Yosemite and Lake Powell.

Prior to the 9-11 terrorist attacks, the airline was serving about 550,000 passengers a year. That number dropped to around 250,000 after the attacks.

After the 9-11 attacks, the company diversified its operations to include regional air service, offering service out of Ely, Nev., and Merced, Calif. Those routes are subsidized by the federal government under a program aimed at restoring air service to communities that lost airlines as the result of airline deregulation.

Palmdale has been without an airline since February 1998, when United Express pulled out. Palmdale officials, Los Angeles World Airports, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and various civic groups have been working to attract an airline to the city.

Commuter airlines United Express, America West and SkyWest operated out of the Palmdale Regional Airport terminal at Plant 42 in the 1990s - sometimes two airlines at a time. All of the airlines pulled out after failing to generate profits with their Palmdale operations.

Passenger volume at Palmdale was highest in 1990, the year both America West and SkyWest started service after a five-year lapse. Passengers traveling through the Palmdale terminal numbered more than 48,500 in 1990, but dwindled to fewer than 19,400 by 1997.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com