Virgin America takes ‘giant step’ towards take off
Fledgeling US domestic carrier Virgin America has won tentative approval from the country’s Department of Transportation.
The DOT, which had previously blocked the airline’s plans, found that Virgin America is owned and controlled by US citizens and is fit to operate as a domestic airline.
The airline said it hoped to receive final DOT approval in anticipation of a mid-summer launch from its base in San Francisco to New York John F. Kennedy Airport. Four additional cities – Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Washington DC – are planned to be added within nine months of the company’s first flight.
The DOT Order proposes that Virgin America finalize changes already offered by the company to address concerns about its citizenship, and to satisfy certain other pre-launch conditions.
“Today’s order puts us one giant step closer to flying,” said Virgin America spokesman Gareth Edmondson-Jones. “We look forward to finally getting our wings – it will be a huge win for our employees, investors, supporters, and the traveling public.”
The airline’s CEO Fred Reid said: “We worked very hard to address the Department’s initial concerns, and are pleased that they have recognized our extensive work and good faith commitment to meet and exceed those requirements.
“We plan to meet with our shareholders immediately to address the Department’s proposed conditions.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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