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On
Tuesday, Virgin Blue received formal confirmation from Australia’s International Air Services
Commission (IASC) that it has approval to operate return non-stop services between Australia and
the United States commencing late 2008.
“V Australia” will initially operate flights between the east coast of Australia and the west coast of the
United States of America, with the first flight operated by a brand new B777-300ER launch aircraft
named “Didgeree Blue”.
V
Australia will be the fourth airline in the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines including
domestic carrier Virgin Blue, New Zealand based airline Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, the joint venture airline between Virgin Blue and the Government of Samoa.
Virgin Blue
had put out a call to all Australians as part of a nationwide “Name the
Airline” competition to help name the new international airline.
The competition attracted approximately 5942 entries which included some especially creative suggestions such as “Randy Roo Airlines”,
Choo Choo Flying Big Blue” and “Pineapple Airlines”.
The clear favourite was
eventually selected by the judges from the thousands of entries with “V Australia”, nominated by Teresa
Manuel from Sydney, unanimously voted as the best name for the new airline.
“Didgeree Blue”, suggested by Irene Wilson of Brisbane, was also chosen as the perfect name to grace the nosecone of V Australia’s
flagship and launch aircraft.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “We had an amazing response to help name the airline and V Australia stood
out among the entries. It is nice and simple, easily recognised, both understated and obvious and has a clear Australian identity.”
V Australia has also applied for permission from the United States Government to commence services in November
2008 and is continuing its progress with the development of its launch route network, product and fare structure.
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