Vegas to London air service approved

LAS VEGAS - The first non-stop air service from Las Vegas to London has been approved by the federal Department of Transportation.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said Virgin Atlantic's application is "a significant victory for southern Nevada."

"If we want to keep the local economy as strong as it has been and continue to fill all of the new hotel rooms that are continuing to come on line in southern Nevada, we have got to expand our markets and this is a big step in that direction."

He said the new service will improve access to Las Vegas from European markets.

Service is expected to begin this summer with two trips each week.

Bryan is a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and Aviation Subcommittee and worked to help win the approvals for Las Vegas officials.