Alaska Air Group has snapped up California-based Virgin America for US$4 billion. The combined company would become a major force in the US West Coast region, with hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Portland, and a combined fleet of approximately 280 aircraft providing 1,200 daily departures. It will also gain Virgin America’s east coast slots, in New York and Washington, DC, where Alaska has struggled to gain access and of course the group would also maintain a dominant position in … [Read more...] about Alaska Airlines picks up Virgin America for US$4 billion
Richard Branson
EUROPS & CIS: Branson urges US to deny BA-American coop
Richard Branson has called on the US government to deny British Airways’ request for greater commercial cooperation, including agreement on ticket schedules and prices, with American Airlines. It is one year since British Airways applied to regulators for anti-trust immunity, which would in effect allow it to dominate Heathrow Airport. According to Branson, BA wants the “global aviation regulatory system to be applied solely in his interestsâ€Â. It is already … [Read more...] about EUROPS & CIS: Branson urges US to deny BA-American coop
Virgin boosts cargo capacity with new aircraft
“The new aircraft, which will operate on many of Virgin Atlantic’s existing business routes worldwide, will fly to new destinations from London such as Beijing, Cancun and Vancouver. The more fuel-efficient A330-300s, which deliver lower maintenance costs, will provide substantial cargo capacity with each aircraft having 16 to 20 tonnes of cargocapacity. “The new Airbus A330-300 aircraft will integrate with Virgin Atlantic’s existing fleet of 38 aircraft and … [Read more...] about Virgin boosts cargo capacity with new aircraft
EUROPS & CIS: Branson urges US to deny BA-American coop
Richard Branson has called on the US government to deny British Airways’ request for greater commercial cooperation, including agreement on ticket schedules and prices, with American Airlines. It is one year since British Airways applied to regulators for anti-trust immunity, which would in effect allow it to dominate Heathrow Airport. According to Branson, BA wants the “global aviation regulatory system to be applied solely in his interestsâ€Â. It is already … [Read more...] about EUROPS & CIS: Branson urges US to deny BA-American coop
Europe/CIS: “No way BA-AA!” says Virgin’s Branson
Virgin Atlantic president Richard Branson said he was prepared to spend heavily to try to prevent a planned tieup between British Airways, American Airlines and Spain’s Iberia. “If it is approved we believe Virgin Atlantic will be damaged (along with) ... any smaller carriers on these routes,” Branson told reporters recently, adding he would spend “millions of dollars” in a bid to block the tie-up. He said he would start by painting “no way … [Read more...] about Europe/CIS: “No way BA-AA!” says Virgin’s Branson
Europe/CIS: "No way BA-AA!" says Virgin's Branson
Virgin Atlantic president Richard Branson said he was prepared to spend heavily to try to prevent a planned tieup between British Airways, American Airlines and Spain’s Iberia. “If it is approved we believe Virgin Atlantic will be damaged (along with) ... any smaller carriers on these routes,” Branson told reporters recently, adding he would spend “millions of dollars” in a bid to block the tie-up. He said he would start by painting “no way … [Read more...] about Europe/CIS: "No way BA-AA!" says Virgin's Branson
