A new airline bearing the same name of a California carrier purchased by SeaTac’s Alaska Airlines a quarter-century ago will begin flying in mid-July.

That low-cost, no-frills airline, JetAmerica, won’t have any connection with Alaska.

The new airline, modeling itself after the now-defunct Skybus Airlines, is scheduled to launch service July 13 from the New York area’s Newark Liberty Airport.

The old Jet America was a carrier based at Long Beach Airport in Southern California. Jet America’s fleet of 10 McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jets connected Long Beach with a network of cities throughout the country including Chicago and Minneapolis.

Alaska absorbed that fleet and Jet America’s personnel in 1986.

Alaska spokeswoman Bobbie Eagan said Alaska is aware that the new carrier is using the name, but has no plans to challenge its right to do so.

The new airline will use chartered Boeing 737-800 jets to link Newark with cities including Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Ind.; Lansing, Mich.; Melbourne, Fla.; and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Initial fares are as low as $9 each way with a $5 booking fee.

John Gillie, The News Tribune