DOT dismisses Alaska's complaint

The Transportation Department has dismissed a petition from Alaska Airlines that challenged Virgin America Airlines’ right to operate in the U.S., claiming the San Francisco-based carrier was not majority controlled by U.S. citizens as required by law. Following an investigation of the charges, the agency said Virgin America has assured it that new capital investments from parties other than the U.K.-based Virgin Group “can and will be obtained.” The Virgin Group holds a 25 percent stake in the airline. The rest is held by a collection of investors known as VAI Partners, but the carrier said it will also make plans for an employees’ holding of 16.7 percent. That will come about when the company holds an initial public offering, the agency said. Virgin America also has agreed to add a seventh U.S. citizen to its nine-member board of directors, DOT said.