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Virgin America Selects Weathernews to Deliver Advanced Meteorological Services; New Airline Will Benefit From Continued Focus on Safety With Increased Operational Efficiencies, Passenger Comfort and Access to New Service Innovation

Posted on: Tuesday, 8 August 2006, 09:00 CDT

Virgin America and Weathernews Americas Inc., a subsidiary of Weathernews, Inc., today announced the signing of an agreement that designates the global, full-service weather company as the provider of meteorological support services for the airline's operations.

Under the agreement, Weathernews will provide Virgin America operations group advanced software and 7x24 access to meteorological consultation personnel and services. Virgin America is able to question WNI aviation staff via telephone or instant messenger, anytime, day or night, about flight planning or flight following information; providing a virtual meteorologist. Weathernews software provides forecasting and decision support tools that are unique in the aviation industry.

"Virgin America's agreement with Weathernews ensures that our operations will have the best weather forecasting tools available to keep our customers and flight crews safe from the impact of weather while we, as an organization, increase our operating efficiency," said Scott Humphrey, Virgin's director of Dispatch. "Additionally, Weathernews' global expertise and close relationships with key academic, government and private-sector organizations, will provide us with unprecedented access to advancements in meteorological research and development."

Founded in 1952 by a former United Airlines meteorologist, Weathernews has a staff of highly trained personnel with extensive aviation experience, having worked for U.S., Japanese and other international commercial airlines as well as the U.S. Air Force. The company has built a range of services for the aviation industry that include aviation forecasting, flight planning and flight dispatcher solutions. These services meet a full spectrum of safety and economic requirements for the variety of aviation organizations operating throughout the world, from commercial aviation to helicopter and light aircraft (offshore, maintenance of utility lines, mountain rescue, etc.) companies. Weathernews has two aviation support centers; one in Norman, Oklahoma and a second in Makuhari, Japan.

"Weathernews is very pleased to include Virgin America on an already impressive list of commercial aviation clients worldwide," said Jeremy Usher, President and CEO of Weathernews Americas, Inc. "Our global company is fully committed to serving all weather related needs of commercial and general aviation around the world. The establishment of our operation center in the heart of America's meteorological community in Norman, Oklahoma reinforces that stance in the U.S. market."

Virgin America plans to launch beginning with a San Francisco to New York service. This will grow and evolve into other destinations as profitability increases. Its goal is to support over 100 flights.

About Virgin America

Virgin America, owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, intends to launch domestic U.S. scheduled airline service in 2006. Headquartered in Burlingame, Calif., Virgin America will base its operation from San Francisco International Airport. Virgin America's goal is to build an innovative, creative travel brand based on safe and efficient operations, low costs, outstanding guest service, and a unique level of engagement by its team. Its mission is to create an airline people love. Aspiring candidates can visit www.virginamerica.com to learn more about joining the Virgin America Team.

About Weathernews Americas Inc.

Weathernews Americas Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weathernews, Inc. Based in Japan, Weathernews, Inc. is the world's largest, publicly-traded, full-service weather company (TOKYO: 4825). A global organization with 39 offices in 14 countries, Weathernews delivers customized, risk communication services to businesses and individuals whose lives or livelihoods are affected by the weather. With over 12,000 business customers and 1.5 million wireless subscribers worldwide, the company consistently evaluates and evolves existing applications for weather information while exploring additional markets and industries which would benefit operationally and financially from specific weather information and delivery methods. Currently, Weathernews delivers weather information, analysis and risk communication services to some of the largest companies in aviation, energy, marine, media, offshore oil and retail. For more information, go to www.weathernews.com.

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Source: Business Wire

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