VIRGIN ATLANTIC Airways has stepped up its plans to launch a European regional airline based in Brussels, Belgium, by selecting a shortlist of possible aircraft suppliers.
The move follows presentations in October by Boeing, British Aerospace Asset Management Organisation (the jet-leasing arm of BAe), Fokker, Avro Aerospace and McDonnell Douglas.
The list is believed to have been whittled down to three companies which have been called back by Virgin to present proposals later this month for the supply of between eight and ten aircraft in the 100-seat bracket.
If Virgin decides to go ahead with the scheme, it is thought likely that the airline will be launched in time for the 1996 European summer season.
Likely destinations could include Madrid, Milan, Munich, Nice and Rome.
Continental Express chief executive Jonathan Ornstein has been linked with the job of running the new operation and, although Virgin denied a move in October, Ornstein resigned from the US airline on 9 November.
Source: Flight International
