VIRGIN ATLANTIC CONFIRMS ORDER FOR SIX A380 AIRCRAFT

Virgin Atlantic has today signed a firm contract for six Airbus A380 superjumbos. Virgin is the first European customer to sign the final contract just four months after the formal launch of the A380. The first of the aircraft will be delivered in 2006. Virgin Atlantic also has a further six options on the aircraft.

The airline was among the first to endorse the A380 aircraft and its delivery will be instrumental in fulfilling Virgin’s plans for continued growth through adding new destinations to its route network and increasing frequencies and capacity to existing destinations. The new aircraft will also contribute to the upgrade of the airline’s fleet and make it one of the youngest in world aviation.

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, commented:

“We are really pleased to have achieved a significant milestone in the production of this revolutionary aircraft. I am incredibly excited about the opportunities these aircraft will bring – our reputation has been built on innovation and the A380 will give us the opportunity to create a new flying experience for our passengers.

“Virgin Atlantic’s strategy is to maintain our recent spectacular growth and these new aircraft will play a large part in helping us to expand our existing services and add new routes. As other carriers are shrinking in size and cutting their networks Virgin Atlantic will be offering passengers more seats on more services to more destinations.”

Virgin Atlantic is currently looking at a number of new service and product ideas and final decisions will be made in the next year or two. Among the options are leisure areas for Economy passengers including gyms and bars, more legroom for Economy passengers, business centres with meeting areas and video conferencing and an extended in-flight beauty therapy area.

Noel Forgeard, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Industrie expressed the consortium’s great satisfaction at Virgin Atlantic’s decision;

"Virgin Atlantic is one of the most innovative airlines and we know that Virgin will take full advantage of the great potential we are offering with the A380.”