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Branson plans business class-only carrier
Virgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson has unveiled plans for an all business class tansatlantic carrier.
It plans to operate under the Virgin Atlantc name on routes to New York and other US cities from Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Amserdam and Zurich after the EU-US open skies agreement comes into force next March.
The start-up would need £350-million worth of new aircraft and discussions have started with manufacturers about supplying narrow-body jets.
Virgin is reportedly interested in 15 aircraft to operate the new routes.
Branson said while on the launch of a daily London-Nairobi service: “We feel now is the right time to launch such a service. It would provide more choice and better quality value for customers who want to travel on a business-only carrier at exceptional value.
“Open skies enables us to compete in this area and we will be very competitive in terms of price.”
The plan would pitch Virgin against existing long haul business class carriers such as MaxJet and Eos from Stansted and Silverjet from Luton.
by Phil Davies
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