United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Virgin Blue eyes Pacific route
Reports today suggest that Virgin Blue is serious about taking on Qantas on the coveted trans-Pacific route.
Australia’s No2 carrier apparently issued a request for proposal (RFP) to Europe’s Airbus and US rival Boeing late last month.
It is understood the Virgin RFP seeks up to five new aircraft by the first quarter of 2008 but says it would like deliveries to start next year if possible. It also seeks between eight and 12 planes in the longer term.
The delivery time frame means Virgin will initially be looking at aircraft other than the new Boeing 787 ordered by Qantas and Air New Zealand or Airbus’s competing A350.
Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey hopes to put a proposal to the airline’s new board in September or October.
But there have been few indications of how the carrier will be structured and a launch is still contingent on the new airline being able to operate a minimum daily service. That requirement is still being negotiated between the US and Australia.
Officials say the long-haul carrier will offer lower prices on the Pacific with a product that is neither no-frills nor single-class but “dramatically different” from present offerings.
But it will be unable to use the Virgin monicker because Singapore Airlines, which owns 49% of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic, can veto the use of the trademark on international routes.
Graham Muldoon
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