TOULOUSE, France — Richard Branson, the flamboyant British billionaire who founded Virgin Atlantic Airways, is thinking of making Los Angeles the headquarters for an airline he wants to launch in the United States.
Branson, an aviation buff who flies hot-air balloons, has discussed the idea with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two met this year during the filming of the remake of "Around the World in 80 Days," a Jackie Chan movie in which Branson and Schwarzenegger have small parts.
In recent weeks, Schwarzenegger has been lobbying Branson to make a commitment. "We are considering Los Angeles within our plans," Branson said in a letter this week to Schwarzenegger.
The low-cost airline, which Branson would call Virgin USA, could create up to 1,500 jobs. A decision on the headquarters could come within six weeks, he said.
Los Angeles is among a handful of cities where Branson might base a U.S. carrier. Others include Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Miami. A key criteria is that Virgin Atlantic already operates its international service to London from Los Angeles International Airport. Virgin Atlantic operates two nonstop flights a day from London to Los Angeles.
Branson, an entrepreneur who has created a major record company and dabbled in everything from soft drinks to mobile cell phones, has long wanted to operate an airline in the United States.
The recent success of Jet Blue Airways Corp., the low-cost, cross-country carrier, has caught the attention of many in the industry. Branson’s plans have accelerated in recent weeks as more domestic airlines have set up low-cost carriers of their own to compete with Jet Blue, including Delta Air Lines’ Song and United Airlines’ Ted.
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