HOUSTON -- Former Southwest Airlines executives M. Lamar Muse and Michael Muse, his son, Monday announced formation of an airline to compete with the automobile as well as other airlines for commuter business from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast.
'We have chosen our niche: short-haul flights in the eastern half of the nation,' said Michael Muse. 'The demand is from passengers who no longer have frequent service from the industry giants and from passengers who currently go via the private automobile.'
The father-son aviation executives said certificate authority application for Muse Air Corp. was filed with the Civil Aeronautics Board. Lamar Muse was listed as chairman of the board and his son was listed as treasurer and chief operating officer.
'When we begin operations this June, Muse Air will have a fleet of six or seven 85-passenger DC-9-10s with which we currently plan to service Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Tulsa, St. Louis, Memphis, San Antonio and Corpus Christi,' Michael Muse said.
He said Muse Air had placed deposits on five DC-9 Super 80 jets with options for five more. Delivery is scheduled to being in 1983. The Super 80s can carry 172 persons and are considered the most fuel-efficient and quietest jetliners in service.
Lamar Muse was president of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines from 1971 until he resigned in 1978. Southwest was an industry phenomenon, beginning with three jets and facing fierce oppositon and from its competitors.
Mike Muse was with Southwest Airlines from 1986-78, last serving as vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer.
'The lessons we learned from our Southwest experience will help us get Muse Air off to a fast start,' the elder Muse, 60, said.
'Based on 1982 forecasts, our fares will be as much as 66 percent lower than coach fares in effect today,' Michael Muse said.
Other cities scheduled for service include Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh and the Texas Rio Grande Valley.
