Yes it is true, BLTA are not up and operating, so what are they doing?
Manuals are complete
Pilot Training Complete
F/A Training Complete
Dispatch Training Complete
Maintenance Training Complete
Just now they are doing in house table tops, i.e dry runs in a conference room. Table tops are to test the system, Next step will be to demonstrate table tops for FAA, this usually takes one day. Once that it is complete they will conduct proving runs Minimum of 25 hours, testing the system in real time, FAA will simulate events, and make the company respond according to their written procedures.
Proving Runs are scheduled in Mid October, pending FAA inspector availability.
Once proving runs are complete an Air Carrier Certificate will be issued, the company can start revenue flights the following day if so desire. My guess is that once the Air Carrier certificate is issued the marketing department will pick an inaugural date and start selling tickets.
