Virgin Blue: Boeing strike delays service launch

SYDNEY, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd (VBA.AX), an Australian airline, said it had delayed the launch of its new long-haul service V Australia by over two months due to a strike at aircraft maker Boeing (BA.N).

"Boeing advised its customers, including V Australia, that it cannot predict the duration of the dispute and therefore cannot guarantee the delivery date of the airline's launch aircraft," Virgin Blue said in a statement.

The airline said the a revised launch date for V Australia, which will provide flights to the United States, was Feb. 28, 2009. (Reporting by James Thornhill)