Delta eyes Virgin
Thread Starter
Delta eyes Virgin
Could be another interesting development in the scheme of things:
Delta plots to take control of Virgin Atlantic - Telegraph
Delta plots to take control of Virgin Atlantic - Telegraph
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Confoederatio Helvetica
Age: 68
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin's destinations include many who's ownership and control rules require them to be 'British'. 49% owned by Singapore is OK, but 51% owned by US and French is not.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Perhaps Delta is also seeking a piece of Virgin America (A320 operator) as a part of the deal. Regardless, Delta seem to have big pockets and good strategy (like buying an oil refinery in Pennsylvania to reduce oil price volatility for NY area hub) - Virgin could certainly use both these days...
Not sure how VS pilot jobs could be impacted if this comes to fruition... Doubt Delta would want to squander the value of the LHR slots.
Not sure how VS pilot jobs could be impacted if this comes to fruition... Doubt Delta would want to squander the value of the LHR slots.
Person Of Interest
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Keystone Heights, Florida
Age: 68
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Delta has gone downhill service-wise (in my opinion) since the DL/NWA merger...seems like I have to go to Memphis, Detroit or MSP to go anywhere on "DL" instead of 1 transfer in Atlanta and onward to the world...
Also, just a few months ago, DL ****e canned Comair, and put over 800 pilots out of a job....
I have too many miles on DL to abandon them now, but if I'm paying, it will be another carrier...
Also, just a few months ago, DL ****e canned Comair, and put over 800 pilots out of a job....
I have too many miles on DL to abandon them now, but if I'm paying, it will be another carrier...
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
would give them more slots at LHR, more E coast flights to the UK and onward connections to some interesting places
also stops BA from eventually acquiring Virgin as the buyer of last resort
also stops BA from eventually acquiring Virgin as the buyer of last resort
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: -11`
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Delta has just announced they have agreed to take over the 49% stake in Virgin from SIA.
Delta buys 49 percent Virgin Atlantic stake for $360 million | Reuters
Delta buys 49 percent Virgin Atlantic stake for $360 million | Reuters
Last edited by seat 0A; 11th Dec 2012 at 12:52. Reason: added link to reuters
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HH
How would it give them more slots at LHR as any Virgin slot Delta used would be at the expense of Virgin?
Branson says he will keep his 51% still ( Well he would say that wouldn't he ) In which case Delta will discover like SIA did that owning 49% means SFA!
Could never see why Dr C the then CEO of SIA spent over £600million to buy 49% of Virgin which has been a disaster financially. Over the years a huge negative dividend. Branson saw him coming
How would it give them more slots at LHR as any Virgin slot Delta used would be at the expense of Virgin?
Branson says he will keep his 51% still ( Well he would say that wouldn't he ) In which case Delta will discover like SIA did that owning 49% means SFA!
Could never see why Dr C the then CEO of SIA spent over £600million to buy 49% of Virgin which has been a disaster financially. Over the years a huge negative dividend. Branson saw him coming
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Luton
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ownership only has to be majority EU (looks at the leisure travel groups.....all of the TUI and Thomas Cook airlines are UK owned, regardless of being based in UK, Germany, Nordics etc)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: fort sheridan, il
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm glad Delta got rid of comair. Delta is finally realizing that running the whole show with in house planes and crews is the way to go.
Delta is also trying to pick up every MD90 they can get their hands on...and they are still using DC9's as it is truly the best short/medium 100 seat class plane to use,esp when you own them outright,.
good luck, however virgins can be tricky
Delta is also trying to pick up every MD90 they can get their hands on...and they are still using DC9's as it is truly the best short/medium 100 seat class plane to use,esp when you own them outright,.
good luck, however virgins can be tricky
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder if Virgin will now join the Sky Team alliance? I know it doesn't necessarily say they will, considering that they didn't join Star Alliance whilst under the part ownership of Singapore Airlines. But there has been significant chatter discussing the benefits of Virgin joining one of the major alliances.
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My guess is after a while Branson will sell some or all of his 51% to KLM/Air France as otherwise Delta have bought a loss making 49% without any say in how the business is run.
My guess is Branson will be the receiver of a kick in the groin rather than the Willie.
My guess is Branson will be the receiver of a kick in the groin rather than the Willie.
Last edited by millerscourt; 11th Dec 2012 at 16:28.
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Polymer Records
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just goes to prove to me that I shouldn't go in to airline management. To me this seems like a daft idea for Delta.
Maybe the books aren't as bad as we have been lead to believe?
$600 million loss for Singapore...! (I know the accounting pain has already occurred)
Maybe the books aren't as bad as we have been lead to believe?
$600 million loss for Singapore...! (I know the accounting pain has already occurred)
Delta will have onward travel to Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen (eventually Glasgow i would guess). Shared profits on the Atlantic routes which are Virgins strongest and i would guess at some stage 'borrowing' some of VAAs slots. Pick up VAA pax from Delhi and Mumbai for onward travel to Atlanta and other hubs. So, i think they probably went in with their eyes wide open....
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Busta Level
So far Hotel Tango is not wrong as Delta have NOT taken control of Virgin
And they never will because they are not an EU Airline so can never have control of Virgin on their own
So far Hotel Tango is not wrong as Delta have NOT taken control of Virgin
And they never will because they are not an EU Airline so can never have control of Virgin on their own
Last edited by millerscourt; 11th Dec 2012 at 18:52.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: On the screen in front of you
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the Dixie Dummies do indeed gain some ownership in Virgin, will Branson give up on Virgin America and let them die off? Virgin Atlantic will have all the US domestic feed it could ever want.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.