Virgin America receives takeover offers

New York

VIRGIN America Inc has received takeover bids from JetBlue Airways Corp and Alaska Air Group Inc as the US budget airline backed by British billionaire Richard Branson explores a sale, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday.

Asian airlines have also expressed interest in buying Virgin America, although they would have to partner with a US bidder under foreign ownership rules governing US airlines.

The source asked not to be identified because the sale process is confidential.

JetBlue, Alaska Air and Burlingame, California-based Virgin America declined to comm…