Is Virgin America a U.S. Citizen?

Corporations use interesting immigration-related terminology. Harry Weber writes for Associated Press:

ATLANTA — Privately held air carrier Virgin America asked the Department of Transportation on Thursday to deny Alaska Airlines’ repeated challenges to its U.S. citizenship status and close the case.

There was no immediate decision by the federal agency. The DOT has said it has been reviewing Alaska Airlines’ allegations, which are based largely on news reports that Virgin America insists are inaccurate.

Some analysts say Alaska Airlines and United Airlines would stand to gain if Burlingame, Calif.-based Virgin America, which flies mainly transcontinental routes, were to cease operations temporarily or permanently.

In February, Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Seattle-based Alaska Air Group Inc., asked the government to determine whether Virgin America continues to meet the qualifications for being a U.S. air carrier. It cited media reports that called into question Virgin America’s compliance with U.S. foreign ownership and control restrictions on domestic carriers. Click here for the full story.

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