Branson backs new runways
In an exclusive interview with ITV Meridian Sir Richard Branson says he wants a new runway at Gatwick - as well as two more at Heathrow.
Branson in new world record
61 year old Branson has become the oldest person to kitesurf across the English Channel. His son, Sam, set the speed record yesterday.
Jumbo-sized make-over for fleet
ITV Meridian reports exclusively on how experts from the South strip-out and re-fit Virgin Atlantic Airways Boeing 747 fleet.
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Virgin Atlantic's new Chief Executive vows to return the airline to profit
Chief executive Craig Kreeger said weak economic conditions and the Olympic Games in London, which dented demand for business travel, were factors in the airline's latest loss of £93 million for the year to February 28.
It has also suffered from high fuel costs, strong competition on transatlantic routes and taxes on UK air travel, although the figures showed it still increased revenues by 5% to £2.9 billion. It carried 5.5 million passengers in the period, an increase of 188,000 on a year earlier.
Mr Kreeger, who took over from Steve Ridgway as chief executive in February after a 27-year career at American Airlines, recently announced a staff pay freeze as part of a wider cost-cutting programme at the airline's Gatwick HQ and across the company.
Virgin hopes that its ties with US operator Delta, which acquired a 49% stake in the airline last year, will help it compete more forcefully with the British Airways-American Airlines alliance in the lucrative transatlantic market.
Today's airline loss contributed to a pre-tax deficit of £69.9 million for the wider group, which includes** **Virgin Holidays. The previous year's group loss was £80.2 million, with the airline deficit being £98.6 million in 2012.
Dame Vivienne & Sir Richard's sartorial Virgin partnership
For the new uniforms, Vivienne Westwood wanted to create a futuristic look which references her enduring interest in 40’s French couture. The collaboration between the two leading British brands is a long-term partnership which will see a total re-design of the uniform across all areas.
Over 7,500 staff will receive new uniforms and employees based at Virgin Atlantic's West Sussex headquarters have been involved in the design process.
Passengers will get a sneak peek of the new uniforms from July 2013 when cabin crew and ground staff trial the uniform at the airports and on board. Crew will provide feedback on the design, practicality and wearability so tweaks can be made ahead of the full launch in 2014.
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Branson's joy as sound is barrier beaten by Virgin Galactic
Sir Richard was with the ground team in the Mojave Desert in New Mexico to witness what he describes as 'the single most important flight test to date' for Virgin Galactic space travel programme. Two key elements of their spaceflight system came together today. The spacecraft and its rocket motor.
Both had been extensively on their own over several years, this was the first time they'd been tested together. Sir Richard praised the work of the team working on the project to reach this milestone.
Millions for Branson in buyout
Virgin Media, part owned by Oxfordshire's Richard Branson, is to be sold to US tycoon John Malone's Liberty Global in a deal worth more than twelve million pounds.
The company supplies almost five million households in the UK. Richard Branson will reportedly make around $316 million from the buyout.
Branson backs new runways
In an exclusive interview with ITV Meridian Sir Richard Branson says he wants a new runway at Gatwick - as well as two more at Heathrow.
Read the full storyBranson leads delegation to India
Sir Richard taking part in a colourful parade in Mumbai to mark the start of a Virgin Atlantic route from Heathrow.
The tycoon from Oxfordshire is leading a delegation to India to boost trade between India and the UK.
Hundreds of local media turned out to welcome him.
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Branson: "Build new Gatwick runway now"
Virgin Atlantic Chairman Sir Richard Branson has become the first major player in the aviation industry to back plans for a second runway at Gatwick.
The airport announced a week ago it was pressing ahead with the controversial plan.
Some people say it will double the number of flights and noise.
Others say it will create jobs and boost the local economy.
In an exclusive interview with Meridian he says he also wants two extra Heathrow runways.
The tycoon from Oxford has been in Mumbai where he's been launching a route from Heathrow and promoting trade links between the UK and India.
He says the Government should stop dithering and take urgent decisions on expansion in the south.
A legal agreement means a new Gatwick runway could not be built before 2019.
Sir Richard spoke to Transport Correspondent Mike Pearse.
New flights follow rail loss
Mr Ridgway insisted that air travel was a "different market" from rail services between Manchester and London. The airline will operate three daily flights to Manchester using Airbus A319 aircraft from March 31 next year.
Virgin to compete with BA on domestic flights
Flights between Heathrow and the North West will begin next spring using leased aircraft, Mr Ridgway said. Mr Ridgway insisted that air travel was a "different market" from rail services between Manchester and London.
– Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive Virgin Atlantic Airways"Virgin Atlantic has obviously provided great competition over the years internationally on the long-haul routes and this is about redressing that as part of the process of making sure that BA doesn't become a monopolist on all the routes bmi used to fly."
New route to be launched from London to Manchester
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