Virgin Atlantic orders new Airbus planes

Virgin Atlantic has stated that it is "confident about future growth" and announced an order of ten new Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

The $2.1 billion (£1.3 billion) deal will see five of the new planes delivered in 2011 and the following five the next year.

Passengers will be offered USB ports in every seat and the ability to send and receive emails and text messages on the Airbus A330s.

Virgin Atlantic said that the aircraft will play an important part in its future growth, enabling the launch of flights to Vancouver, Beijing, Cancun and other new destinations from London.

Steve Ridgway, chief executive of the airline, said: "Despite the worst economic conditions in decades, we are focusing on sustainable growth in the years ahead using the most fuel-efficient aircraft possible.

"Virgin Atlantic has a strong history of successfully investing during a downturn and our Airbus order today sends a strong signal that now is the time to invest, in order to help protect jobs and get the world's economy moving again."

The airline launched a special flight to New York yesterday (June 22nd) to mark its 25th birthday.

Posted by Kate, 23 June 2009 13:15

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