The Virgin Group may launch a second Australian-based airline to focus on travel to the US, China and Japan, according to an interview with Richard Branson.
Mr Branson said the new airline could be operational by the end of the year, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The new air carrier would complement low-cost carrier Virgin Blue’s domestic and pacific routes.
The new airline would have to be 51% Australian-owned, but Mr Branson said there was no shortage of investors.
The new airline would compete with Singapore Airlines’ attempts to reach the Australia-Los Angeles market.
In other Virgin news, ATW Daily NewsPatrick Corp. reinforced its move to control Virgin Blue by upping its holdings to more than 62%, according to news reports.
Mr Branson and CEO Brett Godfrey continue to refuse to sell their own shares in the company. Mr. Godfrey has repeatedly said he will not step down, but will work with the new majority shareholder.
Report by David Wilkening
