Virgin Atlantic soon to Australia
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Virgin Atlantic soon to Australia
Wed "Courier Mail"
Virgin Atlantic signals landing
By Maria Hawthorne
15jul03
VIRGIN Atlantic could be flying daily to Australia by Christmas, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said today.
Sir Richard said he would appoint a team to work on developing an Australian route and hoped to have the new service up and running by the end of the year.
And he said the inaugural flight could be on the Concorde if he wins his battle with British Airways over control of the ageing supersonic aircraft fleet, which is due to be retired this October.
Sir Richard was speaking after a meeting in London with Australian Tourism Minister Joe Hockey.
"The minister on his trip to England has been twisting our arms trying to get us to fly Virgin Atlantic to Australia as soon as possible," Sir Richard said.
"As a result, we're going to have a team of people working on it. Hopefully, if we can get everything sorted out, maybe by Christmas or early in the New Year we'll see Virgin Atlantic flying either to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, or even two or three of those cities.
"We'll get to work on it."
Sir Richard said the kangaroo route needed some competition to shake up British Airways and Qantas, which he said were operating a duopoly.
"They own shares in each other, you'll find that they have identical fares, and the price of tickets does affect tourism," he said.
"If we can get in there and offer a better-quality product with lower fares, hopefully more people will go to Australia and fly Virgin Blue."
Virgin Blue began flying in 2000 and has between 25 and 30 per cent of the Australian domestic market.
Sir Richard will discuss his plans with John Howard when the Australian Prime Minister visits London later this year.
Mr Hockey said the decision was a huge step forward for the Australian tourism industry.
"There's only two European airlines flying into Australia - Lauda Air and BA - so the more European airlines that we can get into Australia the better," Mr Hockey said.
Virgin Atlantic, Europe's second largest long-haul airline, has a fleet of 25 planes with another 15 on order.
It carries 4.1 million passengers a year to 22 destinations and is the 25th largest airline in the world.
Singapore Airlines owns 49 per cent of the airline, which was set up 18 years ago.
Sir Richard said Virgin was still working on prising the Concordes away from British Airlines, which has so far refused to sell the jets despite announcing plans to take them out of service.
He said the British-designed planes still had 25 years' flying life left in them and would be a fantastic flagship for Britain.
"We're doing everything we can to embarrass BA into handing them over to us," he said.
"If we succeed, almost definitely the inaugural flight (to Australia), if nothing else, will be on a Concorde."
===========================================
Virgin Atlantic signals landing
By Maria Hawthorne
15jul03
VIRGIN Atlantic could be flying daily to Australia by Christmas, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson said today.
Sir Richard said he would appoint a team to work on developing an Australian route and hoped to have the new service up and running by the end of the year.
And he said the inaugural flight could be on the Concorde if he wins his battle with British Airways over control of the ageing supersonic aircraft fleet, which is due to be retired this October.
Sir Richard was speaking after a meeting in London with Australian Tourism Minister Joe Hockey.
"The minister on his trip to England has been twisting our arms trying to get us to fly Virgin Atlantic to Australia as soon as possible," Sir Richard said.
"As a result, we're going to have a team of people working on it. Hopefully, if we can get everything sorted out, maybe by Christmas or early in the New Year we'll see Virgin Atlantic flying either to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne, or even two or three of those cities.
"We'll get to work on it."
Sir Richard said the kangaroo route needed some competition to shake up British Airways and Qantas, which he said were operating a duopoly.
"They own shares in each other, you'll find that they have identical fares, and the price of tickets does affect tourism," he said.
"If we can get in there and offer a better-quality product with lower fares, hopefully more people will go to Australia and fly Virgin Blue."
Virgin Blue began flying in 2000 and has between 25 and 30 per cent of the Australian domestic market.
Sir Richard will discuss his plans with John Howard when the Australian Prime Minister visits London later this year.
Mr Hockey said the decision was a huge step forward for the Australian tourism industry.
"There's only two European airlines flying into Australia - Lauda Air and BA - so the more European airlines that we can get into Australia the better," Mr Hockey said.
Virgin Atlantic, Europe's second largest long-haul airline, has a fleet of 25 planes with another 15 on order.
It carries 4.1 million passengers a year to 22 destinations and is the 25th largest airline in the world.
Singapore Airlines owns 49 per cent of the airline, which was set up 18 years ago.
Sir Richard said Virgin was still working on prising the Concordes away from British Airlines, which has so far refused to sell the jets despite announcing plans to take them out of service.
He said the British-designed planes still had 25 years' flying life left in them and would be a fantastic flagship for Britain.
"We're doing everything we can to embarrass BA into handing them over to us," he said.
"If we succeed, almost definitely the inaugural flight (to Australia), if nothing else, will be on a Concorde."
===========================================
Last edited by Wirraway; 16th Jul 2003 at 01:20.
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Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Emirates, Thai, plus numerous others would be surprised to learn that QF and BA operate a cosy duopoly on the Kangaroo Route, but then never let the facts get in the way of some "Battler-striking-a-blow-for-the-downtrodden-masses" publicity.
Virgin operating the Concorde??? Give me a break.
Virgin operating the Concorde??? Give me a break.
Evertonian
VS operating Concordes to Oz...
No chance at all! If you knew the history of the aircraft gissmonkey, you'd know why it wont come to Oz, even if he did get them.
More rubbish! Who are they second behind? BA, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France????
Virgin Atlantic, Europe's second largest long-haul airline
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Virgin Atlantic is Europe's second largest long haul airline, how about Lufthansa, Air France and KLM??????
Sounds more like look at us are'nt we great bla bla bla bla.
As Borg says what about Emirates, SIA, MAS and even CX for competition!!!!
Sounds more like look at us are'nt we great bla bla bla bla.
As Borg says what about Emirates, SIA, MAS and even CX for competition!!!!
Once apon a time there was Ansett and Qantas and all the armchair experts gave Virgin Blue a few months, if they were to even get airborne at all.
"Give me a break" opined the experts, with lots of smug little icons.
Somebody at the time also suggested he would run down the Sydney Ansett Terminal naked if little Impulse were even going to operate just 1 jet sector, having been previously a 1900 operator etc (did that person do that run in the end?)
So could I suggest those who post their pearls of wisdom look at what has already gone before writing.
The old order is effectively over, nothing in the industry is cast in stone and anything is possible. Posting dismissive items on Prune may make the writer feel good but will not alter the course of events one bit.
Virgin are unlikely to score the Concorde and as Branson suggested even if they could, it would only do the INNAUGURAL flight to Oz for publicity - not regular flights.
Anyway, bring on the change. The last few years have been interesting and the next few I suggest will be even more eventful.
"Give me a break" opined the experts, with lots of smug little
icons.Somebody at the time also suggested he would run down the Sydney Ansett Terminal naked if little Impulse were even going to operate just 1 jet sector, having been previously a 1900 operator etc (did that person do that run in the end?)
So could I suggest those who post their pearls of wisdom look at what has already gone before writing.
The old order is effectively over, nothing in the industry is cast in stone and anything is possible. Posting dismissive items on Prune may make the writer feel good but will not alter the course of events one bit.
Virgin are unlikely to score the Concorde and as Branson suggested even if they could, it would only do the INNAUGURAL flight to Oz for publicity - not regular flights.
Anyway, bring on the change. The last few years have been interesting and the next few I suggest will be even more eventful.
Props are for boats!
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Go VB go you good thing! Good news for Staff Travel now eh!
Oh and if they give each traveller a greater than one 20kg piece restriction and less than 30 dollars a kilo excess baggage penalty. I know who Ill fly with. BA and QF can keep their Bangkok Sardine Service to LondonBy the way, thats a hell flight too guys, not recommended.
Regards
Sheep
P.S. Im a new disciple Buster
Oh and if they give each traveller a greater than one 20kg piece restriction and less than 30 dollars a kilo excess baggage penalty. I know who Ill fly with. BA and QF can keep their Bangkok Sardine Service to London
By the way, thats a hell flight too guys, not recommended. Regards
Sheep
P.S. Im a new disciple Buster
Evertonian
TCOB said;
gissmonkey replied;
Try to be specific in your response rather than change the whole tone of your post afterwards. Get a life...
Good for you Sheep Guts, hope you get what you want from them!
Virgin operating the Concorde??? Give me a break.
give you a break about what??? if BA can fly em, why not Virgin? to u 2!
Good for you Sheep Guts, hope you get what you want from them!
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Buster Hyman
I can't see how my tone changed? Too many times I hear, experience levels are dropping, you cant fly that until you have X amount of hours bla bla bla. It all comes down to the training. So if virgin do get them and train their crews right, of course they will be able to operate them. A good example is the RAAF, they put guys with 200hours in F111s.
I can't see how my tone changed? Too many times I hear, experience levels are dropping, you cant fly that until you have X amount of hours bla bla bla. It all comes down to the training. So if virgin do get them and train their crews right, of course they will be able to operate them. A good example is the RAAF, they put guys with 200hours in F111s.
Evertonian
Okay, once more with feeling.
The Concorde was basically doomed when a certain country that had a large aircraft manufacturing base "created" a sonic boom smear campaign that made over flown countries ban the Concorde from their airspace. BA did operate the Concorde to Oz, but was banned from doing so because of this. The same bans are in place & VS would have exactly the same problems today, regardless of whether they change Airbus' mind re supporting the aircraft.
What a great trip it would be to fly Concorde to LHR etc from Oz, sadly only a few had this pleasure.
As for actually operating/crewing them, all it takes is training & yes, IF VS gets them they can learn to fly them, but it won't be out here. Don't get me wrong though, I'd love to see her lining up on YMML 27 no matter what colours she's in.
The Concorde was basically doomed when a certain country that had a large aircraft manufacturing base "created" a sonic boom smear campaign that made over flown countries ban the Concorde from their airspace. BA did operate the Concorde to Oz, but was banned from doing so because of this. The same bans are in place & VS would have exactly the same problems today, regardless of whether they change Airbus' mind re supporting the aircraft.
What a great trip it would be to fly Concorde to LHR etc from Oz, sadly only a few had this pleasure.
As for actually operating/crewing them, all it takes is training & yes, IF VS gets them they can learn to fly them, but it won't be out here. Don't get me wrong though, I'd love to see her lining up on YMML 27 no matter what colours she's in.
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Can someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the whole reason that Qantas and other airlines do not fly through HK on their way to Europe/ UK is because the HK CAA does not permit them too! Thus if Virgin Atlantic gets the go ahead, surely this will open the gates for numerous other airlines to do likewise..
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Ooooh Mamma - am I gonna get reamed over this post.
To this little black duck, having Concorde operated by Virgin is akin to Amtrak runing the Flying Scotsman. Something just does not gel.
It is mission impossible also due the stress it would cause in Middle Eastern countries where it would cause a daily uprising triggered by the assumption of renewed bombing.
Not to mention Australia where King Billy Coke Bottle and the Gotmehandout Tribe would suddenly develop the concept of Sacred Airspace and want compensation for the boom upsetting the VB Spirit.
VS has been making noises about coming to Oz for ages, and apparently has been unable to gain a license to do so, settling with code share with MH.
The choices on the Kangaroo route are not just QF BA and OS as mentioned, and OS is 2 stop. TG SQ and MH are one stop as are KE OZ CX SA JL UA AA (codeshare via AP) and EK very shortly 1 stop with 777-500s.
I have had clients fly VS and they all espoused the excellent service, but i think we need to read between the lines in old cold eyes' press releases. The airline however appears to be absolute first rate.
The KR is saturated at he moment, and any new player is going to face lower yield. I hope Branson does not wish to embrace a sardine theory, and lower the tone of an excellent carrier.
Bottom line - RB - leave the classic airliner to the classic Airlines.
Do what you do well and continue to break new ground, but do not step into the shoes of pioneering airlines.
They will not fit - on the large side.
Best all
EWL
To this little black duck, having Concorde operated by Virgin is akin to Amtrak runing the Flying Scotsman. Something just does not gel.
It is mission impossible also due the stress it would cause in Middle Eastern countries where it would cause a daily uprising triggered by the assumption of renewed bombing.
Not to mention Australia where King Billy Coke Bottle and the Gotmehandout Tribe would suddenly develop the concept of Sacred Airspace and want compensation for the boom upsetting the VB Spirit.
VS has been making noises about coming to Oz for ages, and apparently has been unable to gain a license to do so, settling with code share with MH.
The choices on the Kangaroo route are not just QF BA and OS as mentioned, and OS is 2 stop. TG SQ and MH are one stop as are KE OZ CX SA JL UA AA (codeshare via AP) and EK very shortly 1 stop with 777-500s.
I have had clients fly VS and they all espoused the excellent service, but i think we need to read between the lines in old cold eyes' press releases. The airline however appears to be absolute first rate.
The KR is saturated at he moment, and any new player is going to face lower yield. I hope Branson does not wish to embrace a sardine theory, and lower the tone of an excellent carrier.
Bottom line - RB - leave the classic airliner to the classic Airlines.
Do what you do well and continue to break new ground, but do not step into the shoes of pioneering airlines.
They will not fit - on the large side.
Best all
EWL
Al E .Vator says bring on the change. Wot you mean like BA Singair, MAS, Royal B, ANZ, Thai, Cathay, United, Air Pac, Emirates, South African, China, etc...etc...etc... yeh real monopoly breaking stuff!!!
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Reuters Wednesday July 16, 10:08 PM AEST
UK's Branson plans budget U.S. airline
By Daniel Morrissey
LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson announced plans on Wednesday to set up a "quality low-cost" airline in the United States by the end of June 2004 to rival JetBlue and Southwest .
"We are planning to get in there and make sure there is a third, very powerful low-cost airline in America," Branson said. Virgin would own under 50 percent to meet U.S. aviation laws.
Speaking at the unveiling of a new premium class service for transatlantic carrier Virgin Atlantic, Branson said the London-U.S. market for first-class and business-class passengers was improving after the worst downturn in years.
"The premium traffic is coming back. SARS is behind us, the recession is beginning to be behind us and there is a lot more activity out there," he said. "The Gulf War is also behind us."
Branson said Virgin Atlantic's new service, which offers the industry's most spacious beds, could attract up to five percent of business-class passengers and 12 percent of first-class travellers from rival British Airways .
The new service will be launched after the summer, coinciding with BA's withdrawal of its fleet of Concorde supersonic luxury aircraft.
Branson, whose interests span music, trains and telecoms, said the planned U.S. budget airline would be set up along the same lines as Virgin's Australian discount airline Virgin Blue.
"We will start fairly modestly as we did in Australia, maybe 10 or 15 planes," said Branson, adding that a number of institutional partners would be involved in the venture.
Under U.S. law foreign companies are only allowed to own 25 percent of voting rights in a U.S. airline and an economic interest of up to 49 percent. However, last month U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta urged Congress to raise foreign ownership limits to 49 percent of voting stock.
Branson said he hoped that the United States would permit clauses within the U.S. airline's structure that would result in Virgin taking control should ownership laws be relaxed. By owning less than 50 percent of the company, Virgin would depart from its strategy of controlling the firms it invests in and those that use the Virgin brand.
The planned airline would be started from scratch, Branson said. "Our philosophy is that (is) the best way to build a company." He added that no decision had been made yet on whether the airline would use Boeing or Airbus aircraft.
==========================================
UK's Branson plans budget U.S. airline
By Daniel Morrissey
LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson announced plans on Wednesday to set up a "quality low-cost" airline in the United States by the end of June 2004 to rival JetBlue and Southwest .
"We are planning to get in there and make sure there is a third, very powerful low-cost airline in America," Branson said. Virgin would own under 50 percent to meet U.S. aviation laws.
Speaking at the unveiling of a new premium class service for transatlantic carrier Virgin Atlantic, Branson said the London-U.S. market for first-class and business-class passengers was improving after the worst downturn in years.
"The premium traffic is coming back. SARS is behind us, the recession is beginning to be behind us and there is a lot more activity out there," he said. "The Gulf War is also behind us."
Branson said Virgin Atlantic's new service, which offers the industry's most spacious beds, could attract up to five percent of business-class passengers and 12 percent of first-class travellers from rival British Airways .
The new service will be launched after the summer, coinciding with BA's withdrawal of its fleet of Concorde supersonic luxury aircraft.
Branson, whose interests span music, trains and telecoms, said the planned U.S. budget airline would be set up along the same lines as Virgin's Australian discount airline Virgin Blue.
"We will start fairly modestly as we did in Australia, maybe 10 or 15 planes," said Branson, adding that a number of institutional partners would be involved in the venture.
Under U.S. law foreign companies are only allowed to own 25 percent of voting rights in a U.S. airline and an economic interest of up to 49 percent. However, last month U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta urged Congress to raise foreign ownership limits to 49 percent of voting stock.
Branson said he hoped that the United States would permit clauses within the U.S. airline's structure that would result in Virgin taking control should ownership laws be relaxed. By owning less than 50 percent of the company, Virgin would depart from its strategy of controlling the firms it invests in and those that use the Virgin brand.
The planned airline would be started from scratch, Branson said. "Our philosophy is that (is) the best way to build a company." He added that no decision had been made yet on whether the airline would use Boeing or Airbus aircraft.
==========================================
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Sheeps
EK will start (NOV I think) DXB SYD and MEL nonstops and extend their services to AKL.
I do apologise - the equipment is A340-500 not B777. Just checked availability in Sabre.
That will make the Tasman much less viable for the incumbents and DJ as they are offering a top-up fare of AUD379.00 rtn plus taxes.
Now THERE are true deep pockets!!
Best all
EWL
EK will start (NOV I think) DXB SYD and MEL nonstops and extend their services to AKL.
I do apologise - the equipment is A340-500 not B777. Just checked availability in Sabre.
That will make the Tasman much less viable for the incumbents and DJ as they are offering a top-up fare of AUD379.00 rtn plus taxes.
Now THERE are true deep pockets!!
Best all
EWL
Props are for boats!
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Well really we need to welcome evrey carrier that comes into Australia. Europe and the USA are the 2 biggest tourism MARKETS. and we happen to be the furthest away.
Where I am in the Carrbean, they have captured a percentage of the US market, but really the only thing encouraging US Tourists down here are:
1. Short distance
2. all inclusive resorts ( thats right everything inclusive Booze and food the lot)
So thats what Australia is up against. Really if Australia was closer we would kick arse and have a Greater proportion of US Travellers, maybe even as many as Europe gets.
We need faster Jets to Oz. Concorde is old, but something new needs to come along.
If we had Faster jets the Yanks would come in drobes.
Oh and they love us aussies. They cant get enough of Steve Irwin. The guys I work with want me to bring his books and vidoes all the time.
regards
Sheep
Where I am in the Carrbean, they have captured a percentage of the US market, but really the only thing encouraging US Tourists down here are:
1. Short distance
2. all inclusive resorts ( thats right everything inclusive Booze and food the lot)
So thats what Australia is up against. Really if Australia was closer we would kick arse and have a Greater proportion of US Travellers, maybe even as many as Europe gets.
We need faster Jets to Oz. Concorde is old, but something new needs to come along.
If we had Faster jets the Yanks would come in drobes.
Oh and they love us aussies. They cant get enough of Steve Irwin. The guys I work with want me to bring his books and vidoes all the time.
regards
Sheep
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Oh and they love us aussies.
You mean they love the illusion. Do you inform them your average lovable Aussie is obese, mortgaged in an urban jungle, watches box nightly with scrubber and ankle biters, gloats over greedy real estate gains, and generally hates Americans (or pretends to?) 
Like I cant get enough of Pamela Anderson...I want those mags and books all the time. You sure reckon you know a lot (it shows)for someone who aspires to fly a Otter in Yemen...