While Virgin Atlantic has completed the financial and legal steps required to begin its COVID-19 recovery, the airline is moving forward with plans to cut a further 1,150 jobs.
The US and UK governments are being urged to launch a testing trial for passenger flights between New York and London to speed the return of transatlantic routes and capacity.
Virgin Atlantic’s creditors have voted in favor of the UK long-haul carrier’s £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) restructuring plan, ahead of two key court hearings to finalize the process on Sept. 2 and Sept. 3.
UK-based Virgin Atlantic said July 1 that it was continuing to work on “a comprehensive, solvent recapitalization of the airline” to ensure it could continue to provide “essential connectivity and competition” for consumers and businesses.
UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic plans to relaunch services to 17 more destinations in August, building on five previously announced routes scheduled to return in late July.
Virgin Atlantic plans to exit its base at London Gatwick (LGW) as part of a series of measures being implemented to help the airline survive the coronavirus crisis.
Virgin Atlantic is closing its operations at LGW and cutting almost a third of its 10,000 staff as the airline scales back its business in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has rejected media reports that he plans to sell UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic, but the search for further investment continues.
Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson is saying Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia will need government support if they are to survive the COVID-19 crisis and keep competition alive in markets that would otherwise become effective monopolies.
The UK government will spend up to £75 million ($93 million) to repatriate citizens with the help of easyJet, Jet2.com, Titan Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic has temporarily suspended flights from London Gatwick, instead focusing its London operations on London Heathrow, and has flown its first ever all-cargo flight.
UK long-haul specialist Virgin Atlantic is seeking to defer staff salary increases and is cutting the pay of its senior executives as it braces for the increasing financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
