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ENLARGE
Minta Air Taxi pilot Ben Thomson makes a turn toward the Lake Tahoe Airport on the South Shore while coming in from a flight around Lake Tahoe's West Shore.
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ENLARGE
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Minta Air Taxi offers flights from the Bay Area to the South Shore using a Cessna 414A Chancellor, a twin-engine, all weather aircraft that seats up to seven passengers.
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The Lake Tahoe Airport hasn't had scheduled air service for almost eight years, but that streak has ended.
Minta Air Taxi began service Aug. 1 after 11 months of planning, said spokesman Ben Thomson.
"There's an underserved market here, and people would love to come up," Thomson said.
Minta Air Taxi began service Aug. 1 after 11 months of planning, said spokesman Ben Thomson.
"There's an underserved market here, and people would love to come up," Thomson said.
The company will run regular flights from Oakland to South Lake Tahoe on Fridays, with a return trip on Sundays. Thomson said no specific departure times are scheduled so that the service can remain flexible for passengers.
Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, said Oakland is a good choice because it's one of the major markets for Lake Tahoe visitors.
"We have an airport sitting out there, and it's great to see activity," Chaplin said.
Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, said Oakland is a good choice because it's one of the major markets for Lake Tahoe visitors.
"We have an airport sitting out there, and it's great to see activity," Chaplin said.
One of the best things about the air service is how quick boarding is. Thomson said passengers can arrive and get on the plane right away. On a large commercial flight, passengers have to check in, go through security and wait until the luggage is loaded and boarding begins. With Minta Air Taxi, they don't need to show up two hours before the plane takes off.
The Oakland International Airport also is user-friendly, so it's easy for people to fly in and out without delays, Chaplin said. Because larger commercial airlines have eliminated routes, resulting in more stops and fewer direct flights, the air taxi service should appeal to travelers.
"Time is a huge factor for people, and this could appeal to those who are time-crunched," Chaplin said.
The plane is a twin-engine Cessna 414A Chancellor that carries seven passengers, or five people who have a lot of gear, Thomson said. It has a nonstop range of up to 800 miles.
The Oakland International Airport also is user-friendly, so it's easy for people to fly in and out without delays, Chaplin said. Because larger commercial airlines have eliminated routes, resulting in more stops and fewer direct flights, the air taxi service should appeal to travelers.
"Time is a huge factor for people, and this could appeal to those who are time-crunched," Chaplin said.
The plane is a twin-engine Cessna 414A Chancellor that carries seven passengers, or five people who have a lot of gear, Thomson said. It has a nonstop range of up to 800 miles.
A round-trip ticket is $450, and a one-way ticket is $225 for the scheduled flights between Oakland and South Lake Tahoe. Or the plane can be chartered for $1,000 per hour for the whole aircraft, not per seat, Thomson said.
Besides regular flights, Minta Air Taxi lives up to its name by providing chartered air service to many destinations. Some of the more popular options are likely to be the Bay Area, Sacramento, Napa, Las Vegas, Truckee and Reno.
The service will be offered year-round, so those who don't want to take a winter road trip to or from Tahoe always can catch a flight, Thomson said.
Chaplin said the service will be an attractive option for travelers throughout the seasons.
Besides regular flights, Minta Air Taxi lives up to its name by providing chartered air service to many destinations. Some of the more popular options are likely to be the Bay Area, Sacramento, Napa, Las Vegas, Truckee and Reno.
The service will be offered year-round, so those who don't want to take a winter road trip to or from Tahoe always can catch a flight, Thomson said.
Chaplin said the service will be an attractive option for travelers throughout the seasons.
Catch the air taxi
Minta Air Taxi is at the Mountain West Aviation building at the Lake Tahoe Airport, to the left of the city offices building. For more information, call (888) 439-1449.
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