New Virgin-Branded U.S. Airline Announces New York as Corporate Headquarters and San Francisco as Principle Base of Operations
New Airline Will Create up to 3,000 Jobs Over Five Years
NEW YORK, June 5 /PRNewswire/ --
Fred Reid, head of the new Virgin-branded U.S. airline start up, today officially announced New York as its corporate headquarters and San Francisco as its principle base of operations. As two of the country's largest travel markets, both cities and states offered remarkable incentives that will help the airline to design a new low-cost operation that will create as many as 3,000 new jobs over the next five years.
"We received a heart-warming welcome in both cities. After careful deliberation, we felt that pairing New York and San Francisco would provide the best foundation for a business model that allows us to deliver a better experience and better value for air travelers," said Reid. "Culturally, NewYork and San Francisco reflect the Virgin brand's fun, dynamic style, making
them both ideal places for us to recruit creative, skilled employees who can deliver on our vision of outstanding customer service."
This dual approach is one way the company is already challenging industry norms. A significant presence on each coast will enable the airline to create operational efficiencies - the first of many innovative moves planned - to design a modern, efficient business structure that will help the airline deliver real value to air travelers. Initially, the New York headquarters is expected to employ more than 300 people. Also within the first two years of operation, the new company plans to hire more than 1,500 flight attendants,pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians, engineers, dispatching and other work functions in San Francisco. The overall number of employees, in both locations, is anticipated to grow to more than 3,000 over the next five years.
New York City, NY
This will be the only airline to call Manhattan home. It will centralize corporate functions for the company in New York, the country's largest travel market, at what it calls "Airline HQ," including marketing, human resources, and finance responsibilities. The airline anticipates more than 300 employees working at this facility initially.
"I would like to commend the airline on its decision to place their corporate headquarters in New York City," said New York Governor George E.Pataki. "They chose New York over several other major US cities, proving once again that we are the business capital of the world. It is through aggressive,
pro-business policies that this State continues to win projects and jobs for the people of New York. Important investments such as this bring New York State closer to our goal of creating one million new jobs by the end of the
decade."
The state and city offered the airline more than $11 million in hard andsoft state and local grants and incentives, including tax and energy incentives plus funds for job training assistance, co-operative marketing and community development.
San Francisco, CA
This also will be the first and only airline with its principle operationsbased in California. In San Francisco, the country's third largest travel market, the airline will centralize all operations responsibilities, including flight attendants, pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians,engineers, dispatching and other work functions, at what it calls "Ops HQ."
The airline anticipates more than 1,500 employees working at this facility.
"Today's announcement that the new Virgin-branded U.S. airline will base its operations center in the San Francisco Bay Area and bring more than 1500 new jobs to the state is fantastic news for California," said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "I'm thrilled the airline has decided to take advantage of California's many advantages - a vast market, qualified workforce, wonderful lifestyle, excellent operating climate and a government committed to making it easier for businesses to succeed. The new airline's decision to base its operations in our great state is yet another example that California is open for business."
The state and city offered the airline more than $15 million in hard and soft state and local grants and incentives, including employment training grants and co-operative marketing.
About the Virgin-Branded U.S. Airline
The new Virgin-branded U.S. airline will be the 21st century alternative,an innovator that challenges industry norms to deliver a better experience fordomestic air travelers. The company will unite Virgin's world-renowned customer-focus, and distinctive style to create a low-fare airline that offers
more - more options, more comfort, more entertainment, more value. The U.S.airline will be American-owned and operated - with a majority of American investors.
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