Richard Branson's Virgin USA low-cost carrier plans to purchase as many as 55 planes and may partner with US Airways Inc as it seeks to take advantage of demand for low costs flights in the US.
The airline plans to hold talks next week to decide whether to buy 35 Boeing Co 737 or Airbus SAS A320-family aircraft. It's also holding talks with Bombardier Inc and Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA about buying 20 regional jets.
"We shouldn't have any problems in now getting the airline launched" by early next year at the latest, Branson said. The Virgin Group will invest between US$50 million and US$250 million in the carrier and will own 49 percent.
"US Airways may sell off part of their assets, and they may sell it off in part cash and shares in a new company," Branson told journalists. "If they were to do that, they might decide to do something with Virgin USA."
Low-cost airline Virgin USA will try and replicate Branson's Australian success with Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd.
Virgin USA is choosing between San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston and Washington for its headquarters, Branson told journalists at a briefing in London, adding Virgin USA will be 100 percent American employees.
Branson said "we've been in discussions with another airline about taking over a chunk of their slot base," without naming the carrier.
David Castelveter, US Airways' Director of Public Relations, said in a statement the company had an "obligation to pursue strategic discussions which might benefit the company and its shareholders."
He added "we are not in any discussions with Virgin USA or any other Virgin representatives."
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