Virgin Atlantic to recruit 1,400 staff

Virgin Atlantic Airways today announced that it plans to recruit 1400 staff over the next twelve months. The recruitment drive has been triggered by the planned launch of new routes to destinations like Sydney, Cuba and The Bahamas coupled with an increase in services to existing destinations like Boston, Washington, New York and the Caribbean. The planned increase in the airline's fleet is also a contributing factor, with three more A340-600 aircraft due to enter service in each of the next two years.

The new positions are mainly operational staff with as many as 700 cabin crew positions, 70 flight deck and 300 at Heathrow and Gatwick airport, including many new engineering positions. Around 300 staff will be required at Virgin Atlantic's headquarters and in office-based positions. Virgin Atlantic currently employs approximately 7500 staff worldwide.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, commented;

"I am delighted to be able to announce this recruitment drive for fourteen hundred staff. Virgin Atlantic is entering a period of significant expansion with new routes, more capacity on existing routes and new aircraft. The next year promises to be an exciting one not only for Virgin Atlantic, but also for any new recruits joining the company.

"The airline can offer fantastic opportunities to all successful applicants. We know that its through creating a culture where people love to work that we'll build an airline which people love to fly."