The future of Great Plains Airline hinges on more planes

They're considered vitally important to future of the City of Tulsa but what is the future of Great Plains Airlines? <br><br>News on Six Business Reporter Steve Berg says Great Plains announced last

Thursday, September 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

They're considered vitally important to future of the City of Tulsa but what is the future of Great Plains Airlines?

News on Six Business Reporter Steve Berg says Great Plains announced last month; it would be adding four new planes to its fleet. But they still don't have the money to buy them.

We've learned they had a meeting last week to give investors a progress report. The meeting was in Tulsa and reportedly featured a who's who list of prominent Tulsans and at least one out-of-towner, State Senator Cal Hobson, who said it was clear the clock is ticking. â€œI want to be real honest here, there was a sense or urgency that additional steps are necessary for the expansion."

The state legislature has given several million in tax credits. And the airline just learned it will be getting more federal money from the September 11th airline relief fund. But it's still not enough to buy the four new planes. And they need those to start turning a profit. Mark Marudas with Great Plains Airline, "Y'know the economics of a small airline with few aircraft are not strong. So it's very important to us that we grow the airline and we grow it as quickly as possible."

Great Plains says getting financing has been a challenge. But Hobson says there were many at the meeting who came away with a feeling of optimism. â€œI know Tulsa, and if Tulsa wants to make something happen, they can make it happen."

Great Plains does have some good news. They say they plan to start offering non-stop flight to Dulles Airport in Washington DC in March of next year. It's very difficult for start-up airlines to get slots at those airports, and they've got one.

But that news also hinges on getting those new planes.