lax backs vba alliance with delta

LA backs Virgin's Pacific alliance

* By Steve Jones on 2 November 2010

Los Angeles International Airport has thrown its weight behind Virgin Blue’s trans-Pacific alliance with Delta Air Lines after arguing it will allow passengers greater connectivity beyond the gateways of LA and Sydney.

In a submission to the US Department of Transportation (DoT), the airport said closer collaboration between the carriers would produce “major public benefits” and promote sustainable competition and ensure the future growth of US services to the South Pacific.

One of its key arguments focused on the onward travel from LA and Sydney and the “thousands of new city pairs that would be connected through the joint venture”.

The airport claimed Delta’s New York-LA services was launched “specifically to provide optimal connections to its Sydney flight” while Delta’s codeshare with Alaska is designed to support international routes from the west coast.

“On the Pacific side, travellers on the North America-Australia routes can connect on the Virgin Blue Airlines to an array of beyond points throughout Australia and the South Pacific.

“The extensive behind and beyond traffic on these routes will help to enhance the status of Los Angeles as an important gateway for transpacific travel.”

Tourism and employment benefit would flow through from the alliance, the airport added in its submission.

Nine daily flights operate between LA and Sydney with officials keen to ensure “the travelling public continues to see the full benefit of each of these services along with continued growth in the future”.

http://www.travelweekly.com.au/news/la-backs-virgin-pacific-alliance