Wirraway
20th Aug 2003, 13:51
AAP
Virgin Blue gets new wings
Virgin Blue took delivery of its first non-leased aircraft.
The B737-800 aircraft touched down at its new Brisbane-based home after being handed over to Virgin Blue direct from the Boeing factory in Seattle.
It has trans-continental capabilities in line with Virgin Blue's plans to launch international flights later this year.
The aircraft, with a market value of $US62 million ($A94.79 million), is the first to be owned by Virgin Blue following a purchase agreement with Boeing which includes another nine aircraft scheduled to arrive over the next 12 months.
Virgin Blue secured the financing through the Royal Bank of Scotland, with support from the US Import/Export Bank as guarantor.
"This is a significant milestone for Virgin Blue as we move towards balancing our fleet of leased and owned aircraft," chief executive Brett Godfrey said in a statement.
Virgin Blue's existing aircraft are leased through various lessors, including Boullion, CIT, GECAS, ILFC and Tombo.
The arrival of the aircraft takes the fleet to 32.
İAAP 2003
Virgin Blue gets new wings
Virgin Blue took delivery of its first non-leased aircraft.
The B737-800 aircraft touched down at its new Brisbane-based home after being handed over to Virgin Blue direct from the Boeing factory in Seattle.
It has trans-continental capabilities in line with Virgin Blue's plans to launch international flights later this year.
The aircraft, with a market value of $US62 million ($A94.79 million), is the first to be owned by Virgin Blue following a purchase agreement with Boeing which includes another nine aircraft scheduled to arrive over the next 12 months.
Virgin Blue secured the financing through the Royal Bank of Scotland, with support from the US Import/Export Bank as guarantor.
"This is a significant milestone for Virgin Blue as we move towards balancing our fleet of leased and owned aircraft," chief executive Brett Godfrey said in a statement.
Virgin Blue's existing aircraft are leased through various lessors, including Boullion, CIT, GECAS, ILFC and Tombo.
The arrival of the aircraft takes the fleet to 32.
İAAP 2003