Virgin lobbies for US route

[oz_mark]

http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,18363464-462,00.html

SIR Richard Branson today said Virgin Blue would need to fly daily to the United States for the route to be profitable to the airline.

The Federal Government has opened the way for Virgin Blue (vba.ASX:Quote,News) to introduce flights from Sydney to Los Angeles after blocking a bid by Singapore Airlines to compete with Qantas on the route.
Virgin Blue (vba.ASX:Quote,News) has been encouraged by the Federal Government to begin flying as soon as it has the appropriate fleet and staffing levels required for an international service.

"I think it does leave the way open for Virgin Blue to go on the Sydney to LA route," Sir Richard said today.

"I think if we can get a daily service, which we really need to be profitable, then I think the chances are that Virgin Blue will go on that route."

Sir Richard said Virgin Blue had been lobbying to make sure seven flights a week were available on the route, as opposed to the current four flights a week.


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"Over the next handful of months (Virgin Blue hopes to have an answer) but negotiations are going to have to go on with the Americans ... fingers crossed we are successful," he said.

 

[bigjobs]

will be waiting with interest to see what happens with this one.

i wonder what aircraft they would use on the route?

 

[NM]

will be waiting with interest to see what happens with this one.

i wonder what aircraft they would use on the route?

if they start within the next 2 years, my guess would be wet-leased VS A340 aircraft. If they wait longer, perhaps new A350 or 787 aircraft.

The only current aircraft capable of the mission are 747-400, A340 or some 777 variants. Anything less and its a splash and dash somewhere in the Pacific, which is not beyond belief so long as they pick somewhere other than HNL.

 

[Damien]

wet-leased

Excuse my ignorance, but what is this? :?

 

[Yada Yada]

wet-leased

Excuse my ignorance, but what is this? :?

I Googled the following:

Aircraft Leasing Definition

Aircraft Lease Definition, as provided by GlobalPlaneSearch.com, is a helpful guide to all types of aircraft leasing.

ACMI - Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance
The LESSOR provides the aircraft, one or more complete crews (including engineers) including their salaries and usually allowances, all maintenance for the aircraft and insurance, which usually includes hull and third party liability. The LESSOR will charge for the block hour (choc off to choc on) and depending on the aircraft type sets a minimum guaranteed block hours limit per month. If the airplane flies or not, the LESSEE must pay the amount for the minimum guaranteed block hours.
The LESSEE has to provide all fuel, landing/handling/parking/storage fees, crew HOTAC including meals and transportation as well as visa fees, import duties where applicable as well as local taxes. Furthermore the LESSEE has to provide passenger/luggage and cargo insurance and in some cases need to cover the costs for War Risk. Furthermore the LESSEE has to pay the over flight/navigation charges. This point is a bit complicated. When flights are operating they use a flight number, which is issued to airlines by the ICAO. In order to cover the costs of air traffic control services, states over flown will send a bill to the owner of the flight number, which can be readily identified by its code. The aircraft owner will probably have a code, but will not want to use it because he will end up paying the bills. Therefore, an ACMI lease requires that the LESSEE provide his own flight number, so that the bills can be directed to him. Thus, an ACMI lease can usually only take place between two ICAO member states airlines unless other arrangements have been made between LESSOR and LESSEE.

Wet Lease
Is basically ACMI as explained above. The period can go from one month to usually one to two years. Everything less than one month can be considered as ad-hoc charter.

Damp Lease
Is similar as ACMI however usually without cabin crew. The LESSEE will provide the cabin crew. This can only be done if the cabin crew receives SEP (Safety and Emergency Procedures) training by the LESSOR, in order to be acquainted with the differences of the airplane. This term is not often referred too.

Dry Lease
Is the lease of the basic aircraft without insurances, crew, maintenance etc. Usually dry lease is utilized by leasing companies and banks. A dry lease requires the LESSEE to put the aircraft on his own AOC and provide aircraft registration. A typical dry lease starts from two years onwards and bears certain conditions as far as depreciation, maintenance, insurances etc. are concerned. This depends on the geographical location, political circumstances etc.

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[Damien]

I Googled the following:

Thanks Yada Yada. I'm actually ashamed that I didn't think to Google it before asking the question.