Platinum Airways (www.platinumairways.org) has become the first virtual airline to liberate and liberalise the airways by introducing Open Skies. In a radical breakaway from traditional virtual airlines, Platinum Airways is allowing its pilots to fly any mission of their choice in addition to operating its hub network.

From its launch in July 2010, Platinum Airways made it clear that it was a very virtual airline that was high in content and low on rules. Originally, it operated out of four hubs (Dallas-Ft Worth, Vancouver, Perth and Brussels). However, the majority of the fifty plus pilots who joined within the first few months indicated that they were in favour of expanding the schedule of more than 800 flights. Platinum Airways management responded by implementing a full Open Skies policy. Continue reading →