WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The British founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways has taken two key steps to launch an airline in the United States.
Virgin America, a new discounter created by Richard Branson, filed an application Thursday for ownership fitness and airworthiness certification with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
It also disclosed that it will be controlled by VAI Partners LLC, a U.S. investment group funded by Black Canyon Capital and Cyrus Capital Partners, with Branson holding a minority stake in the company to comply with limits on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines, USA Today reported Friday.
In addition, the airline said it has obtained $177.3 million in initial financing, with VAI providing $90 million and the balance coming from Branson or Branson-related entities, said its chief executive, Fred Reid, a former Delta Air Lines president.
Virgin America aims to begin service between San Francisco and New York next year and has ordered 33 Airbus A320 aircraft, 18 for purchase and 15 for lease.
The carrier will base its operations in Burlingame, Calif., and plans to bring as many as 2,000 jobs to the San Francisco Bay area within two years of its launch.
