Short haul in Europe is falling and we are in a recession, the like of which we have never seen. Yields are dying, the majors are bleeding cash and even the locos are feeling the pain.
So does anyone familiar with Branson think he's actually got the working capital to undertake this massive new venture and underwrite the start up losses for 3-5 years?
Where would Virgin sit in the market? In the space vacated by BA? Filled to an extent by legacy carriers serving their foreign hubs, ie KLM / Air France / Lufthansa. In the low cost space where an increasingly vengeful and dangerous Ryanair lurk? Is he going to take on Stelios?
Come on guys get real, it's Branson. Classic attempt to divert attention from trouble at Virgin Atlantic ( not a criticism of a good airline, they're all in trouble to a greater or lesser extent ! ) by saying "Here's some amazing things we want to do but we know we never will."