WHOO HOO! V AUSTRALIA SET TO SOAR WITH AOC APPROVAL
Thursday 19 February 2009:
Australia’s newest international airline, V Australia, has today 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.
V Australia is the first Australian operator to receive approvals for a Boeing 777-300ER on the Australian AOC.
V Australia’s Executive General Manager, Scott Swift, who was on hand late this afternoon to personally receive the AOC on behalf of the elated V Australia team, said the AOC was a credit to the entire V Australia team.
“It’s amazing what a single piece of paper can signify. What I hold in my hand is the result of three years of hard work, effort and dedication by hundreds of people across the V Australia and Virgin Blue teams.”
He continued, “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.
“In the same way Virgin Blue forever changed the face of aviation in Australia nearly nine years ago, with our AOC in hand, today marks the beginning of the new era of trans-Pacific flying as V Australia lifts the standard for product, service and affordability on this market.”
To celebrate this significant milestone V Australia has launched a special ‘AOC WHOO HOO! Thumbs-Up Sale’ fare of $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 $5999* and Premium Economy return Sale Fare of $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 once-in-a-lifetime 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.
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