
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, November 26, 1994                   TAG: 9411280023
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Short

RICHMOND AIRLINE GROUNDED

A new airline in development already has received thousands of applications from pilots and flight attendants.

But Southeast Express Airlines Inc., which hopes to become the first scheduled passenger airline based in Richmond, says it isn't seeking applications yet. The airline still must raise at least $7 million to $10 million for start-up costs.

President Robert C. Bushman had said in August that the airline hoped to be flying by January, but he said this week that flights would begin by spring. Southeast plans to offer jet service from Richmond International to Eastern and Southeastern cities.

Bushman declined to name potential investors, but, he said, ``we're extremely optimistic that we're going to be funded.''

Anthony J. Hanson, executive vice president and chief operating officer, predicted that Southeast would employ up to 300 people within six months of its first flight.

Southeast plans to fly used McDonnell-Douglas DC-9s and offer low ticket prices and only one class of service.

Unlike some start-ups, Southeast plans to serve meals and cater to business travelers.

The company selected Richmond as its base several months ago, after Continental Airlines established a large hub in Greensboro, N.C., Southeast's original base.

by CNB