noaa weather

Several months ago
in a related article
I made mention of two start up air carriers for the US market. Since then
both EOS Airlines and Maxjet Airways have taken flight and are successfully serving their passengers and making plans for future expansion. Beyond these two carriers
additional carriers are waiting to take their first flights. Let's take a look at some leading contenders.

Fly First Class -- This Florida based air carrier is planning to use Wilmington
NC as its base. With flights to Bermuda and London planned
the airline -- true to its name -- will offer only one level of service
first class. Expected first flight is sometime during the second quarter of 2006.

Primaris Airlines -- Already FAA approved and the owner of a single Boeing 757 aircraft which they currently are leasing to another carrier
Primaris placed an order in January 2005 for Boeing's new Dreamliner aircraft
also known as the 787. Before the first of these particular aircraft arrive in 2008
Primaris reportedly will be leasing three additional 757 aircraft and begin scheduled service between New York
Los Angeles
and San Francisco by the middle of 2006.

Virgin America -- Pending government approval
Virgin America will fly upwards of 105 Airbus aircraft. Based in San Francisco
the Richard Branson inspired airline must overcome some hurdles first including convincing the US government that the airline is
indeed
mostly US owned.

Other start up carriers which are also being watched include: Blackstar Airlines
USA Jet Airlines
and Baltia Air Lines. All start ups must secure key funding
receive various federal and local governmental approvals
organize a management team
and commence hiring well before the first flight is made. It is this particular process that shakes out all the pretenders leaving behind carriers committed to making a go of it.