Virgin America Airlines expects to be airborne this month (August 8) following the granting of its operating licence by the US aviation authorities. The start-up carrier, in which Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, has an interest, has been embroiled in a lengthy dispute over ownership. Virgin America won regulatory approval of its business plan in May after agreeing to restructure its financing and undertaking to replace its chief executive, Fred Reid, to satisfy the US law that limits overseas influence in domestic airlines. Nevertheless, the new airline will retain a branding and marketing relationship with the Virgin Group, which operates Virgin Atlantic. Some US airlines had opposed Virgin America's entry to the US market, claiming that Branson would have control. But the newcomer has insisted it is an American carrier and operating decisions will be made by US citizens, as the law requires. It plans to serve up to 10 North American cities within a year, operating a fleet of new Airbus A319s and A320s from its San Francisco base. Initial destinations are New York and Los Angeles, with Washington Dulles and Las Vegas to follow. ...and V Australia
V Australia is the name of Virgin Blue's new long-haul airline with which it plans to operate services to the US West Coast from November next year, subject to regulatory approval. The name emerged from a national competition that attracted close on 6,000 entries, and also included suggestions for the name of the first of six extended range Boeing 777-300s on order, which will be christened Didgeree Blue.
The airline will be the fourth carrier in the Virgin Blue Group that includes Australian domestic operator Virgin Blue, New Zealand-based Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, a joint venture with the Samoan government. Lose some, win some...
Ryanair is suspending seven UK routes this winter but has announced plans for 11 new services across its European network. Flights from London Stansted to Esbjerg and Malmo are due to be dropped in October, followed by services from Liverpool to Aberdeen, Inverness and Kaunas in November. Two routes from Dublin – to Vasteras and Malmo – are also being axed. New destinations from Stansted include Billund, Genoa and Poitiers, and from Dublin to Biarritz, Grenoble, Hamburg, Porto and Stockholm Skavsta. Eos raises the stakes at Stansted
All-Business Class carrier Eos Airlines has stepped up the battle for transatlantic premium passengers with the launching of a new executive lounge at London’s Stansted Airport. Club 48, which opened last month, offers a wide range of amenities, including two 50-inch widescreen televisions, individual computer workstations, wi-fi access, a bar and food services. Leather seating, granite and frosted glass counters and tables, natural walnut veneers, artwork in rich colours and textures, and satin stainless steel provide a stylish environment. Secluded seating areas with translucent divider screens offer a greater degree of privacy for those that require it. In September, Eos increases the number of weekly flights between London Stansted and New York's JFK Airport from 32 to 40. News in brief Silverjet has postponed the introduction of its second daily flight between London Luton and New York Newark until September 20. The additional service was due to have started at the end of July but extended maintenance work on one of its two aircraft has caused the delay. Lufthansa is resuming flights to Pakistan on October 28, with the introduction of a thrice-weekly schedule between Frankfurt and Karachi, continuing to Lahore. Maxjet is planning an all-Business Class service between Shanghai and Seattle, with flights continuing to Los Angeles. Subject to approval, daily departures are due to begin in March 2009.
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