What do you do when the Department of Transportation holds up your certification to fly in the United States? You lease your planes to other companies as you await permission to fly.
Virgin America's chief executive, Fred Reid, told reporters after a speech to an industry group that the company has finalized two leases with a U.S. start-up airline and is in the process of negotiating two more leases with a foreign carrier he would not name.
The leases were short-term in case Virgin America needed to take the planes back for its own operations. Virgin America is probably leasing the planes for millions as they are brand new and come with nearly every bell and whistle. The airline has taken delivery of 11 Airbus aircraft.
Virgin America is awaiting permission from the Department of Transportation which should make a decision in the next few weeks.
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