British Business Group Supports Construction of Third Runway at Heathrow Sep 15, 2008
Heathrow owner, , and airlines including British Airways Plc and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. are lobbying the government to approve a third runway to boost capacity at Europe's busiest airport. A final decision is due at the end of the year. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Branson Spends $$$ to Block BA-AA Deal Sep 13, 2008
Virgin Atlantic Airways boss Richard Branson vowed to spend millions of dollars if necessary to block a proposed alliance of British Airways PLC, American Airlines and Spain's Iberia SA as he began a publicity blitz against the deal on Friday. At Virgin's hangar at Heathrow Airport, Branson unveiled the slogan "No Way BA/AA," which will be plastered on the side of the carrier's planes. (ABC News -- Business)
British travel industry hit by fresh woes Sep 13, 2008
Adding fuel to the fire, the president of Virgin Atlantic Airways, Richard Branson, said he would fight "tooth and nail" to prevent a combination of British Airways with American Airlines. More than 89,000 vacationers were stranded abroad, mainly in Orlando, Florida, and the Caribbean, when the tour operator XL Leisure Group ran out of money and grounded its airplanes on Friday. (International Herald Tribune)
Virgin to Fight British Airways-AMR Tie-Up `Tooth and Nail,' Branson Says Sep 13, 2008
Sept. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., the U.K. carrier controlled by billionaire , pledged to ``fight tooth and nail'' to block the proposed alliance between British Airways Plc and AMR Corp.'s American Airlines. It's a bit like allowing Coke and Pepsi to merge,'' Branson said today at a news conference at London's Heathrow airport. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Virgin attempts to block BA-American-Iberia deal Sep 12, 2008
LONDON - Virgin Atlantic Airways boss Richard Branson vowed to spend millions of dollars if necessary to block a proposed alliance of British Airways PLC, American Airlines and Spain's Iberia SA as he began a publicity blitz against the deal on Friday ... Virgin Atlantic Airways boss Richard Branson. (Yahoo News)
Nigeria: Govt, Virgin Nigeria Fight Getting Messy Sep 5, 2008
The annexure in question, attached to the main agreement, was however written on Virgin Atlantic Airways' letter-headed paper. Unlike the MEMU proper signed by Yuguda and Branson, the attached document was not signed by anybody, but rather bore the stamp of the Ministry of Aviation. (allAfrica.com)
EU Opens Antitrust Probe Into Airline Alliance Aug 30, 2008
Rival carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways claims the deal will seriously damage the competitiveness of the lucrative trans-Atlantic route and increase fares for passengers. The three airlines argue however that their tie-up, which includes the fellow oneworld alliance members Finnair and Royal Jordanian, would allow them to compete more effectively with other major airline alliances Star and SkyTeam, which already have antitrust immunity on trans-Atlantic flights. (ABC News -- Wire)
Virgin Atlantic Posts $43 Million First-Quarter Profit on New Destinations Aug 26, 2008
Aug. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., the U.K. carrier controlled by billionaire , said it had a first-quarter pretax profit on new destinations and as passengers shunned British Airways Plc's hub because of ``ongoing problems'' at the new Terminal 5. Pretax profit in the period was 23. (Bloomberg -- UK)
UK airline Virgin posts rise in annual profits Aug 26, 2008
Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., the privately owned British airline controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, said Tuesday that a record number of business travelers sent annual pretax profits before one-off items up 38 percent. The company reported a pretax profit for the 2007-2008 financial year of 60. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Airline stocks face turbulence Aug 25, 2008
Richard Branson, owner of UK-based Virgin Atlantic Airways, once remarked that the easiest way to become a millionaire was to start out as a billionaire and enter the airline business. That joke seems to be coming true for promoters of Indian airline companies, which are reeling under the twin blows of high crude oil prices and declining passenger traffic. (India Times)
Turbulence strikes BAA Aug 21, 2008
The BAA monopoly at UK airports has failed to give travelers and airlines the world-class facilities they deserved for so long,'' Paul Charles, a spokesman for London-based Virgin Atlantic Airways, said in an e-mailed statement. It is encouraging that the Competition Commission wants to breakup BAA.. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
* BAA should sell two UK airports, regulator says Aug 21, 2008
Airlines including Ryanair Holdings Plc and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, struggling with higher fuel costs and slowing economies, also back dismantling BAA, saying its dominance provides no incentive for improvements. The commission proposes the divestiture of two of BAAs London airports, the London-based body said in the statement. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
British regulator orders breakup of BAA and sale of U.K. airports Aug 20, 2008
Airlines including Ryanair Holdings and Virgin Atlantic Airways, struggling with higher fuel costs and slowing economies, also back dismantling BAA, saying its dominance provides no incentive for improvements. . (International Herald Tribune)
BA, American and Iberia form new alliance Aug 16, 2008
Rival carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways claims the deal will seriously damage the competitiveness of the lucrative trans-Atlantic route and increase fares for passengers. Make no mistake, if this monster monopoly is approved it will be third time unlucky for consumers, said Virgin Atlantic president Richard Branson. (MSNBC -- Business)
Big potential in a tiny package Aug 13, 2008
Virgin Atlantic Airways Galactic division is looking into the possibility and recently unveiled a jet that can make suborbital flights. A trips costs 200,000. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Virgin warns against planned BA-American deal Aug 12, 2008
LONDON Virgin Atlantic Airways president Richard Branson has written to both U.S. Presidential candidates to warn that a proposed alliance between British Airways PLC and American Airlines would severely damage competition on trans-Atlantic routes. Branson said Monday that a closer relationship between the two carriers would result in higher prices for customers and job losses on both sides of the Atlantic, adding it was very dangerous to believe that consolidation was the best response to the... (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Virgin Atlantic's Sir Richard Branson Warns U.S. Presidential Candidates of Anti-Competitive Link-Up Between British Airways and American Airlines Aug 11, 2008
Virgin Atlantic Airways logo. (PRNewsFoto/Virgin Atlantic Airways) NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES ... Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Richard Branson, the President of Virgin Atlantic Airways, today wrote to both US Presidential candidates warning that a proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines would severely damage competition on major transatlantic routes and leave consumers worse off. (PR Newswire)
American, BA, Iberia Seek Closer Alliance Aug 11, 2008
London-based Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., which operates largely on its own despite the 49% ownership stake held by Star member , already is attacking BA and American for proposing to get closer. "If regulators let this alliance through in any way, they're permitting less competition," says Virgin spokesman Paul Charles. (Wall Street Journal)
Executives face court over fuel surcharge fixing by BA and Virgin Aug 8, 2008
The men have been charged with "having dishonestly agreed with others to make or implement arrangements which directly or indirectly fixed the price for the supply in the United Kingdom of passenger air transport services by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways". They are due to appear at City of London magistrates court on September 24. (guardian.co.uk)
BA executives face price-fixing charges Aug 7, 2008
All four have been charged with "having dishonestly agreed with others to make or implement arrangements which directly or indirectly fixed the price for the supply in the U.K. of passenger air transport services by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways.". BA has already been fined a total of around US$550 million by British and U.S. authorities after admitting to colluding with rival Virgin Atlantic over fuel surcharges on long-haul flights between August 2004 and January 2006. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
I-Team: Did Steve Fossett Fake His Own Death? Jul 30, 2008
"Well, if it were true, I'd be the happiest man ever," said his friend, Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airways. The Fossett may have faked his own death. (KLAS-TV)
Genes company in right to life battle Jul 16, 2008
The king of the vast Virgin empire no doubt has his own seat reserved up the pointy end of any Virgin Atlantic Airways or Virgin Blue plane. He can even head into outer space if he chooses, once Virgin Galactic starts flying next year. (The Australian)
Aviation industry examines alternative fuels Jul 13, 2008
The Virgin Green Fund, which has a $3 billion commitment over the next decade from Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways, is investing in alternative fuel and solar power companies. Other airlines and aircraft manufacturers have arrangements with university researchers and entrepreneurs. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Absa Capital puts spanner in engineer booster plan Jul 13, 2008
Airbus, one of the two main commercial aircraft manufacturers, agrees with Virgin Atlantic Airways chairman Richard Branson that fast-growing algae, which cause the red tide that kills fish in Cape waters and flourishes in sewage farms and stagnant water, could be a source of plant-based aviation fuel manufactured without using food crops or causing environmental damage. However, the statement warns that research leading to the manufacture of "clean" plant-based aviation fuel in sufficient... (Business Report, South Africa)
In the glow of Sir Richard Jul 1, 2008
The writer travelled to Britain courtesy of VisitBritain and Virgin Atlantic Airways. AAP. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Branson May Launch Brazilian Airline Jun 25, 2008
"Brazil is a very dynamic market and we haven't paid enough attention to it in the past," said Branson, who controls Virgin Atlantic Airways. "We know there is a lot of room to grow given the country's size and the need to develop the air transportation system for Brazil's own growth.". (Forbes)
Continental, United Get Cozy Jun 20, 2008
The airline also has alliances with Virgin Atlantic Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. Shares of the two airlines spiked on the news. (Forbes)
Flight plans Jun 18, 2008
" So far, it hasn't happened. United, which lost $537 million in the first quarter of this year, has held failed talks with two potential merger partners, Continental and US Airways, in recent weeks. Delta and Northwest are still attempting to effect a merger. Should mergers and tighter alliances not get the job done, at least a few airline executives think a Darwinian culling of weak carriers would turn out to be a good thing. Virgin Atlantic Airways chief operating officer Steve Ridgway was... (Yahoo News)
Silverjet to Resume Flights as Kingplace Buys Airline From Administrators Jun 11, 2008
Silverjet aimed to sell premium tickets for about 1,000 pounds, often one-third the price charged by competitors such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. Flights were operated using three Boeing Co. 767 planes with 100 flatbed seats, or less than half the usual capacity. Service included private terminals, onboard women-only toilets and gourmet menus from London restaurant Le Caprice. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Silverjet plans to resume flights after deal Jun 11, 2008
Silverjet aimed to sell premium tickets for about 1,000, often one-third the price charged by competitors such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Flights were operated using three Boeing 767 planes with 100 flatbed seats, or less than half the usual capacity. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
High oil prices hit low-cost carriers especially hard Jun 4, 2008
"The good times are over," Stephen Ridgeway, the chief executive of Virgin Atlantic Airways, said during an interview on Tuesday. "There will be no more hen parties in Latvia," he said, referring to the kind of group excursions to inexpensive locales that low-cost airlines popularized. (International Herald Tribune)
New airline food makes critics eat their words Jun 3, 2008
Japan Airlines goes further than many, showcasing an airborne version of Kyotos traditional mebaekai" cuisine, which emphasizes traditional Japanese ingredients and cooking methods. JAL makes soba noodles made on the aircraft in first class between New York and Tokyo, and serves relative rarities such as wasabi the root vegetable, grated by the passenger, not the hot, horseradish-based green paste that most Americans know as wasabi.Still other airlines try to make dining flexible and... (MSNBC -- Travel)
In cricket business, knowing Bacher makes runs May 28, 2008
Work had included the world's first flight of a commercial aircraft partly powered by biofuels not made from food crops, in collaboration with Virgin Atlantic Airways and GE Aviation. It had also achieved "the world's first straight and level flight of a manned aircraft powered only by a fuel cell". (Business Report, South Africa)
I-Team: Weak Dollars Attracts Foreigners to Las Vegas May 27, 2008
Virgin Atlantic Airways flight 43 from London touches down at McCarran International Airport bringing hundreds of passengers from Europe with pounds and euro in their wallets. The passengers say the weak dollar is a big part of the reason they are coming to Las Vegas. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
British Airways might cut routes as outlook dims May 17, 2008
British Airways makes most of its profit from premium seats on North Atlantic routes, where it competes with carriers including Virgin Atlantic Airways and United Airlines. BA carried 33. (International Herald Tribune)
$8.2bn makeover for BA's ageing fleet May 17, 2008
3 billion) total - its biggest purchase in nine years - to add flights from London's Heathrow airport and keep pace with Virgin Atlantic Airways, the firm said yesterday. Willie Walsh, the chief executive of the UK carrier, said the company would buy 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A380 superjumbos. (Business Report, South Africa)
BA defies headwinds to double profit May 16, 2008
Welcome to The Sydney Morning Herald. Skip directly to: Search Box, , , Text Version. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
TCS renews IT services pact with Virgin Atlantic till 2011 May 11, 2008
MUMBAI: Software exporter Tata Consultancy Services has renewed its IT management services contract with global airlines firm Virgin Atlantic Airways till 2011. Under the renewed pact, the Tata group firm would continue to manage Virgin Atlantic's global end-to-end IT systems including the infrastructure and application support services, TCS said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange today. (Economic Times)
County Dorset May 11, 2008
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and United Airlines fly nonstop between San Francisco International Airport and London Heathrow Airport. London is three hours from the eastern edge of Dorset by train via Waterloo Station, about the same time by car or bus on twisty local roads. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
FOCUS: BA, AA, Continental Plans May Hinge On Heathrow May 2, 2008
Previously only BA and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. on the U.K. side and American Airlines and United Airlines on the U.S. side were allowed to fly to the U.S. from the airport. Investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort said it believes BA should stand a better chance of achieving antitrust immunity now, given the increased competition among airlines on the transatlantic following the recent deregulation. (CNNMoney.com)
Asia tourism 'complacent' on climate May 2, 2008
"You just spend a couple minutes in the UK and you understand the pressure we're under," said Barry Humphreys, director of external affairs for Virgin Atlantic Airways. PATA's conference was designed to spread some of the concern felt in Europe and to showcase green initiatives by industry leaders such as Virgin Atlantic, Qantas and Cathay Pacific Airways. (India Times)
UK regulator says BAA ownership of 7 airports may not serve public interest Apr 23, 2008
It seems the Competition Commission have seen the light, said Paul Charles, director of communications at Virgin Atlantic Airways. They support the views of every airline and every passenger, that there is no competition at our major airports, Charles said. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Delicious solitude, at a premium Apr 9, 2008
Some travelers arriving at Boston's Logan International Airport hours before their Virgin Atlantic Airways flight can now spread out on luxurious leather- and mohair-covered banquettes or scoot designer Swan lounge chairs up to marble-topped tables in the airline's new clubhouse. The airline spent $2 million on its Logan Upper Class clubhouse, which opened in February and can accommodate 75 first-class passengers and gold-level frequent fliers at a time. (Boston Globe)
Travel Bug: Open skies, cheaper fares at least for now Apr 7, 2008
Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways, said recently that the Europeans would "rip up" the first stage of the open-skies agreement if the ownership issue wasn't resolved. Virgin has a 25 percent interest in, but has said it would like to control, the United States carrier Virgin America. (International Herald Tribune)
Problems continue at Heathrow's Terminal 5 Apr 1, 2008
Rival carriers including BMI, the second-biggest user of Heathrow after British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic Airways, the third-biggest, have said they have seen a surge in customer bookings because of the problems at Terminal 5. British Airways is planning to relocate 92 percent of its Heathrow operations into Terminal 5 over the course of the next year, with the second stage of the move scheduled to take place on April 30. (International Herald Tribune)
US airlines head to Heathrow Mar 31, 2008
The European Union-United States accord ends a lock on flights between the United States and Heathrow for , Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., United Air Lines Inc., and American Airlines under a 1977 agreement. The airport is Europe's busiest and attractive to other carriers as the continent's key hub for premium travel. (Boston Globe)
British Airways' Terminal 5 problems at Heathrow spill over to 4th day Mar 30, 2008
Rival carriers including BMI, the second-biggest user of Heathrow after British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic Airways, the third-biggest, have said they have seen a surge in customer bookings because of the problems at Terminal 5. . (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Open Skies deal means more flights to Europe Mar 27, 2008
The restrictions were perhaps most in focus at London's Heathrow Airport, where only four airlines could offer service to the U.S.: British Airways PLC, Virgin Atlantic Airways, UAL Corp. unit United Airlines and AMR Corp. unit American Airlines. Heathrow will also benefit from a new British Airways terminal, which will create more room for new flights at existing terminals by other carriers - Continental Airlines Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., Northwest Airlines Corp. and US Airways Group Inc. -... (AZCentral -- Business)
Battle for the business-class traveler Mar 26, 2008
Nonstop flights: Virgin Atlantic Airways operates six flights a day between New York and Heathrow. Planes: Airbus A340s and Boeing 747s fly New York to London. (CNN -- Travel)
CAA Urges Changes in Price Setting for UK Airports, FT Says Mar 17, 2008
Airlines BMI, , and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. are meeting U.K. Transport Secretary today to discuss reforming the pricing system, the newspaper said. To contact the reporter on this story: in London at. (Bloomberg)
Mattawan natives are San Francisco icons Mar 15, 2008
They appeared in a cameo role in "Nine to Five" and television commercials for Reebok, Mustang jeans, IBM, Macy's, Joe Boxer, MJB coffee (aired only in Germany), Taster's Choice coffee, Virgin Atlantic Airways, San Francisco Chronicle, and Sterling Bank. Several longtime Mattawan residents who knew the Brown twins when they lived in Mattawan, said telling them apart was very difficult to do. (Paw Paw Courier Leader, MI)
Virgin Atlantic backs off all-premium-class idea Mar 5, 2008
Virgin Atlantic Airways delays decision to launch an all-premium-class airline ... Image: Boeing Photo / Virgin Atlantic Airways ... Eight months after Sir Richard Branson revealed his airline Virgin Atlantic Airways was an all-premium-class carrier within 18 months, the high-profile billionaire now says Virgin is in no hurry to do so. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Bransons online charter plane service starts Mar 5, 2008
NEW YORK - Richard Bransons first charter plane experience gave him the idea to start commercial airline company Virgin Atlantic Airways. Some 25 years after the British entrepreneur chartered a private jet to fly 50 passengers and himself from the Beef Island, Tortola airport to Puerto Rico after their original flight was canceled, Branson will launch on Tuesday Virgin Charter, an online service to charter private aircraft. (MSNBC -- Business)
Virgin Airways, GM unveil fuel cell shuttle Mar 4, 2008
Buoyed by the success of its history-making flight last week of a Boeing 747 , Virgin Atlantic Airways is embarking on a raft of initiatives and partnerships aimed at promoting global responsibility towards reducing carbon emissions and sustaining the environment. These include a new partnership with General Motors to trial GM's hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered Chevrolet Equinox vehicles as part of the auto-maker's 'Project Driveway' trial of more than 100 of the zero-emission automobiles in suburban... (MSNBC -- Environment)
Virgin To Use GM Fuel Cell Cars As Limos Mar 4, 2008
NEW YORK Virgin Atlantic Airways will start using General Motors Corp zero- emission fuel cell cars as limousines for VIP passengers in the United States, the latest move by Virgin founder Richard Branson to present his airline as the greenest in the market. The scheme, unveiled by Branson and GM in New York Monday, will put three of GM's Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell cars into Virgin's limousine fleet in Los Angeles this month, ferrying its first class passengers to and from the... (Planet Ark, United States)
Branson's online charter plane service launches Mar 4, 2008
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Richard Branson's first charter plane experience gave him the idea to start commercial airline company Virgin Atlantic Airways ... Virgin Atlantic Airways. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
MortgageSA's new lower-case name is berodd Feb 29, 2008
The red tides of algae that kill sea life in Western Cape waters are almost certain to become a main source of biofuel to power jet aircraft, forecasts Virgin Atlantic Airways president Richard Branson. Journalists from around the world watched a Virgin Boeing 747 aircraft take off from London for Amsterdam with one of its fuel tanks filled with a biofuel made from Brazilian babasso nuts and coconut oil - which Branson said could be used without endangering vital food supplies or causing... (Business Report, South Africa)
Flying on empty Feb 25, 2008
The latest demonstration run - by passenger carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., in conjunction with aircraft manufacturer Co., engine maker GE-Aviation, and biofuel producer Imperium Renewables Inc. - was flown yesterday from London to Amsterdam. The Boeing 747's test flight, which carried only technical advisers who recorded flight data for further study, marked the first time a commercial aircraft ran on a blend of 80 percent conventional jet fuel mixed with 20 percent of a biofuel derived... (Boston Globe)
Shopping for Best Impressions at Upfront Feb 21, 2008
She moved to a small shop, CMG Communications, whose key client was Virgin Atlantic Airways. With Richard Branson being at the helm, he was always challenging us to come up with new and never-been-done-before ideas, and because of that challenge a lot of the new and never-been-done-before ideas really fell within the out-of-home realm, she said. (TVweek.com)
Delays to air luggage 'worsening' Feb 20, 2008
Its figures relate to members of the Association of European Airlines, but not all carriers submitted figures, including Virgin Atlantic Airways and Aer Lingus. Among those that did, the worst-performing airline last year was TAP Air Portugal with a delayed bags ratio of 27. (BBC News -- UK)
Tycoon, adventurer, aviator Steve Fossett declared dead Feb 17, 2008
In January 1997 alone, there were three failed attempts, including a solo attempt by Fossett and a try by a crew led by Branson, the flashy founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways. In 2002, after years of trying, Fossett became the first person to fly nonstop around the world alone in a balloon, setting the record on his sixth attempt. (AZCentral -- News)
Virgin, BA to settle price-fixing claim Feb 16, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A tentative agreement by Virgin Atlantic Airways and British Airways PLC to settle civil price-fixing claims would give more than $200 million (euro137 million) to customers who bought tickets from either airline and who flew between August 11, 2004, and March 23, 2006, The Wall Street Journal reported. Virgin Atlantic Airways and British Airways PLC have reached a tentative agreement to settle civil price-fixing claims. (CNN -- International)
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Agree to Repay a Third of Fuel Surcharges Feb 16, 2008
Feb. 15 (Bloomberg) -- British Airways Plc and Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. agreed to pay as much as $203 million to settle claims they overcharged travelers in the U.S. and Britain for fuel fees on long-haul flights between 2004 and 2006. British Airways, Europe's third-largest airline, will pay $135. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Airlines to pay $203 million to settle fuel surcharge lawsuit Feb 16, 2008
Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways, boarding a British Airways jet at Heathrow. Both carriers have reached a tentative agreement to issue millions of dollars in passenger refunds. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
British airlines settle lawsuit over fuel surcharges Feb 15, 2008
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways have agreed to repay one-third of fuel levies applied to tickets sold in Britain and the United States for long-haul flights between 2004 and 2006, settling a lawsuit that alleged the two carriers overcharged passengers. The agreement, following a class action brought by passengers in a U.S. federal court, is valued at between 1 and 11. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
