Virgin America is deferring some of its Airbus narrowbody deliveries scheduled for 2012 and 2013 to ease fuel cost volatility.
Virgin America's fuel costs in 2010 increased 65.3% to $246 million and carrier CEO David Cush warns in a statement that "oil prices remain a concern", and a result the carrier plans to "tap the brakes slightly on our 2012 growth plans".
A carrier spokeswoman explains Virgin America is deferring six A320 family aircraft scheduled for the latter half of 2012 and seven aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2013.
Virgin America ended 2010 with 34 aircraft and now operates a total of 39 Airbus narrowbodies. By year-end 2011 its fleet will grow to 46 aircraft, and "continue to grow overall in 2012-2013", the carrier's spokeswoman explains.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
