Richard Branson has asked Arnold Schwarzenegger to help ensure LAX is ready to accept the new super-jumbos when the A380 comes into use in 2006.
From forbes.com:
LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has asked California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to help rescue plans to fly the world's biggest passenger plane into Los Angeles.
Branson's Virgin Atlantic will be among the first airlines to fly the Airbus A380 but is worried Los Angeles' airport will not make changes needed to accommodate the mammoth double-deckers due in 2006.
"Unfortunately it currently seems that the airport will not have the facilities to handle an aircraft of this size," Branson said in a letter sent to Schwarzenegger this week.
A Virgin spokeswoman said on Wednesday it was also in discussion with Airbus , which is working with several airports on changes needed for the A380.
One of eight airlines that have ordered the planes, Virgin said in a statement only two of nine airports in its plans were ready.
Branson, a fervent aviation buff who flies hot-air balloons and begged rival British Airways to allow Virgin to save the supersonic Concorde from retirement, asked Schwarzenegger to help ensure Los Angeles remains open to the A380.
"For a great and world-leading airport not to be able to support this revolutionary new aircraft would be a blow to its and California's reputation globally," he said.
He added that Los Angeles might also figure in Virgin's plans to set up a low-fares carrier in the United States next year.
Copyright 2003, Reuters News Service
Bazz
Still Flying
From forbes.com:
LONDON, Nov 26 (Reuters) - British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has asked California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to help rescue plans to fly the world's biggest passenger plane into Los Angeles.
Branson's Virgin Atlantic will be among the first airlines to fly the Airbus A380 but is worried Los Angeles' airport will not make changes needed to accommodate the mammoth double-deckers due in 2006.
"Unfortunately it currently seems that the airport will not have the facilities to handle an aircraft of this size," Branson said in a letter sent to Schwarzenegger this week.
A Virgin spokeswoman said on Wednesday it was also in discussion with Airbus , which is working with several airports on changes needed for the A380.
One of eight airlines that have ordered the planes, Virgin said in a statement only two of nine airports in its plans were ready.
Branson, a fervent aviation buff who flies hot-air balloons and begged rival British Airways to allow Virgin to save the supersonic Concorde from retirement, asked Schwarzenegger to help ensure Los Angeles remains open to the A380.
"For a great and world-leading airport not to be able to support this revolutionary new aircraft would be a blow to its and California's reputation globally," he said.
He added that Los Angeles might also figure in Virgin's plans to set up a low-fares carrier in the United States next year.
Copyright 2003, Reuters News Service
Bazz
Still Flying
