Virgin America, a start-up airline branded by British entrepreneur Richard Branson, on Thursday sought permission from the US government to begin service next year, the company said.
Virgin America, which filed applications for ownership fitness and airworthiness certification with the US Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration, also said it secured USD$177.3 million in financing from private investors.
Much of the financing came from VAI Partners, an investment group funded by investment firms Black Canyon Capital and Cyrus Capital Partners, Virgin America said in a statement.
VAI is the majority owner of the new airline and will control its operations.
Branson runs the London-based Virgin Group family of companies that includes Virgin Atlantic Airways. Virgin Group will commit additional funding to the Virgin Atlantic entry, whose chief executive is former Delta Air Lines president Fred Reid, the company said.
Virgin America, based in San Francisco, said it plans to use Airbus airliners and begin service in 2006.
It has ordered 33 A320 aircraft, including 18 directly from the manufacturer and 15 leases from General Electric's aircraft financing arm, Virgin America said.
