A new North American carrier, USA 3000, plans to commence operations on US domestic services at the end of this year, using Airbus A320s.
The airline is being set up by the owner of US tour operator Apple Vacations, which also has a 15% stake in charter airline Canada 3000. The Pennsylvania-based airline will take delivery of five CFM International CFM56-5-powered A320s on 10 year leases from GE Capital Aviation Services between this October and November 2002. Options are held for the lease of two more A320s for delivery in 2003.
USA 3000 will use the 168-seat twinjets on charter and scheduled services, initially between the USA and Caribbean. It is also studying scheduled flights from Philadelphia to Aruba and Las Vegas.
Source: Flight International
