Easyjet:" We estimate that our operating costs burn is in the region of £30-40 million per week, whilst the fleet is grounded. This compares to circa £125 million when flying a full schedule". That's a difference of 10M a week! surely they can be a bit more refined than that, how the hell can you be 10M adrift!! so based on a 500M loan they have 16 weeks or 12 weeks buffer..
Branson doesn't need Virgin to continue, OK it will be a big dent to his reputation if it folds, On the other hand it does seem he is genuinely committed to keeping the airline going, mindful of the staff and consequences and frankly I don't blame him for wanting a piece of the pie from the treasury, after all we give millions in "AID" to Africa which sadly mostly gets spent on arms and fast cars for the dictators or criminals. If we regard Virgin as a "British brand" we should be rallying support for it. Whether or not the airlines will prevail after the restrictions without more hand-outs is obviously on the minds of the bean counters and we may be better of accepting a successful few rather than a struggling many.