We're all geniuses in hindsight.
VA was on planning desk approximately 2 years ago, at least. DJ advertised for interest in long haul positions on their recruitment web site at about 15 months ago. Calls, emails, etc for interviews began around Dec 07 for air crew positions. Fuel prices were getting higher and higher.
[Dates are an educated guess of course! I'm sure someone knows better.]
In the mean time the world has suffered a huge economic recession (depression?). The first to be hit will always be "luxury" items such as overseas holidays.
To say that VA are stupid to have even attempted to start up I do not think is fair from kowing what was happening over 2 years ago to now. I'm sure mangement in their infinite wisdom (hmmmm....) are sh*tting themselves and trying to make things work. Nice of some to find somewhere to kick when the chips are down.
TexanPilot - couldn't agree more.