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.
Weekly capacity between New York and Manchester during the summer is set to drop by a third compared with 2019, but United Airlines is awaiting price stabilization before deciding whether to expand.
SkyTeam members Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines have announced that their transatlantic joint venture (JV) with UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic will take effect from Feb. 13, bringing together a network of 110 non-stop routes.
European regional carrier Flybe is reportedly locked in urgent funding talks as looks to avoid collapse. However, the airline is continuing to operate, with more than 2,300 flights across 96 routes scheduled this week.
UK long-haul operator Virgin Atlantic is considering postponing the retirement of its remaining Airbus A340s because of “ongoing supply issues” with the engines on its Rolls-Royce powered Boeing 787s.
This week: Air France-KLM drops Virgin Atlantic deal plans; Ryanair to close two bases; Transavia to start Brussels service; codeshare agreed between Gulf Air and Middle East Airlines and more.
An expanded transatlantic joint venture between Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic has been given final approval by the US Department of Transportation. The airlines claim the new partnership would offer “the most comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits”.
Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic have been given the green light to enter into a long-term cooperation agreement on flights between Australia and the UK and Ireland.
Air France-KLM and China Eastern's joint venture is to be enlarged to include Virgin Atlantic. As well as the new partnership, it has also been confirmed that regional airline Flybe, which was acquired earlier this year by a consortium that includes Virgin Atlantic, will re-brand as Virgin Connect.
This week: Virgin Atlantic’s first flights to Brazil; El Al Israel Airlines to add two new European routes; and Delta Air Lines opens reservation for its planned Seoul Incheon – Manila route.
The two airlines are seeking approval to cooperate on services between Australia and the UK and Ireland via mutual connection points. The partnership could result in the launch of new international routes.
