Neues zu Virgin USA

[akayama]

Wie heute in der britischen Presse berichtet, steht Sir Richard Branson kurz vor dem Abschluß der Verträge für den neuen No-Frills Ableger Virgin USA.

 

http://www.e-tid.com/index.asp?URL=viewarticle.asp?id=21194

 

01 December 2003

 

Branson muscles in on Arnie to back Virgin USA’s LA hub

 

Sir Richard Branson is proceeding with plans to launch a budget carrier in the USA by next summer, despite a decision by Congress to retain regulations limiting foreign ownership of voting stock in US airlines to 25%.

Current US laws stipulate American citizens must own at least 51% of an airline and that foreigners may hold just 25% of voting equity and an additional 24% of the non-voting stock.

The Financial Mail on Sunday reports Congress last week defied a call from President Bush and the European Union to increase the limit on foreign-held voting stock to 49%. One of the reasons cited by Congress for retaining the current limit was concern that a foreign-controlled airline might not follow US government policy in times of crisis.

Branson’s number two, Will Whitehorn, told the FMoS it was an unfortunate although not unexpected setback. ‘Nevertheless, we will be going ahead with the launch of the new airline in the US in the summer,’ he said.

The Times, meanwhile, reports Branson is currently negotiating a deal with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the new governor of California, to base the airline in Los Angeles.

According to the paper, the pair hit it off when they met on the set of the remake of Around the World in 80 Days, in which both have bit parts. Los Angeles would make sense as a base for the new airline, it says, given that Virgin Atlantic already operates two non-stop flights a day to the city from Heathrow. The new airline, which is expected to be called Virgin USA, will create employment for up to 1,500 people, thereby helping Schwarzenegger deliver on his election promise of bringing jobs back to California. Other airports under consideration for Virgin USA’s base include Boston, Miami, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

The Times goes on to say Branson is thought to be just a week away from announcing a deal with an American partner. This is rumoured to be US Airways, regarded as the most likely because it is keen to sell some of its slots at several airports.

[AvroRJX]

Not really News...... interessant wäre es, wenn jemand seine Equity-Partner benennen würde

[akayama]

Das die Slots von US Airways kommen war für mich neu. US wird nach dem Metrojet Desaster wohl nicht noch einmal in den No Frills Bereich einsteigen. Aber die Meldungen schliessen das nicht komplett aus.

 

Schaun wir mal was uns SRB noch präsentiert.

 

akayama

[ATN340]

Im Endeffekt ist Metrojet heute US Airways Shuttle!

Ein Grossteil der Strecken wird heute vom Shuttle-Dienst geflogen, aber mit modernen Airbussen=) dass macht diese Strecken rentabel.

 

US Airways hat soviele Slots in ganz USA zurückgegeben, da kann Branson gleich mit 10 Fliegern starten.

Wenn US Airways wirklich "Partner" wird kann man sich ja denken, wo er für den Start die Flieger herholt (Es stehen ca. 30 US-737 in der Wüste).

 

 

Phil