In a report by Scott Rochfort in the Sydney Morning Herald, Virgin Blue has provided its strongest hint yet it could launch a fifth airline brand next year, in the form of an ultra low-cost domestic airline.
With the airline proceeding with its plans for the new long-haul carrier despite signs it could face some significant hurdles in getting US regulatory approval to fly 10 weekly services with Boeing 777-300ERs to the US by late 2008.
“In the public interest this is the right thing to do. I would be disappointed if the Americans did not see it that way,” said Virgin Blue chief executive Brett Godfrey.
Mr Godfrey also hinted Virgin Blue could launch another airline venture next year.
“We’ve got one or two exciting things we’re talking about,” he said. When asked if it could be a new ultra-low cost airline aimed at competing against Tiger and Jetstar, Mr Godfrey said nothing would start before the next Virgin board meeting on August 21, “but beyond that we’ll see what happens”.
Report by The Mole
