AVi8 Air Capital said Thursday that it has started the Federal Aviation Administration certification process to relaunch Pan American World Airways as a scheduled U.S. carrier, following completion of the company’s business plan.

As first reported by AirlineGeeks.com, the venture was announced earlier this year. The move marks an important step toward re-establishing Pan Am as a Part 121 scheduled airline.

AVi8 also said it has received early support from aircraft lessors and key vendors. If certified, the Miami-based operation said it intends to launch with a fleet of Airbus aircraft.

In June, Pan Am Brands, a division of Pan American Global Holdings, first announced its partnership with AVi8 to evaluate the feasibility of returning Pan Am to scheduled commercial service. At the time,

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