Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia,
has been cleared for take off by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
(CASA) after successfully completing all requirements and receiving its
Air Operators Certificate (AOC).
The final processes to secure an AOC, which V
Australia applied for in August 2007, required a number of
exercises over the past fortnight including an emergency
evacuation demonstration and a recent proving flight, closely
monitored by CASA officials, which incorporated a mock medical
emergency diversion to Auckland, New Zealand.
“Starting a long-haul airline from scratch is a
phenomenal exercise and the V Australia and Virgin Blue teams have
thrown their heart and souls into our mission to bring Australians
a brand new, innovative, imaginative and customer service focused
international airline,” said V Australia’s Executive General
Manager, Scott Swift.
To
celebrate this significant milestone V Australia has launched a
special ‘AOC WHOO HOO! Thumbs-Up Sale’ fare of A$1199
(International Economy return fare) for flights between Sydney,
Brisbane, Melbourne and Los Angeles on sale from 20 February until
lift-off (midnight 27 February) or until sold out, for travel
between 27 February and 15 June, 2009.
The airline is also
offering an International Business Class return Sale Fare of
A$5999 and Premium Economy return Sale Fare of A$2499 for the same
travel period and ports, only valid for travel from 1 March to 15
June 2009.
V Australia’s inaugural commercial flight to Los
Angeles will depart from Sydney International Airport at 3pm on
Friday 27 February, 2009, marking the carrier’s historic entrance
into the Australian aviation industry and providing travellers
with a dynamic new international airline option.
For those wanting
to take part in the launch festivities there
are still a handful of seats available on the inaugural flight
from Sydney to Los Angeles which will feature in-flight
entertainment and special commemorative gifts.
Flights from
Brisbane to Los Angeles will follow shortly after on Wednesday 8
April, 2009, with non-stop services between Melbourne and Los
Angeles commencing on Tuesday 15 September, 2009.
See
other recent news regarding:
Travel News Asia,
Virgin Blue,
V Australia,
Los Angeles,
Sydney,
Brisbane
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