Virgin Atlantic today announced plans to add new services on two key North Atlantic routes in response to an increasing demand for air travel since September 11.
From the end of October 2002, Virgin Atlantic will reinstate a fifth daily service between London and New York. The new service will operate between Heathrow and JFK and will feature a morning departure out of Heathrow enabling passengers to arrive in New York in time for afternoon meetings.
A second daily service between London and Washington will also be introduced from June 2003 departing Heathrow in the afternoon to compliment Virgin Atlantic’s existing morning service. Both of the new routes will be operated by an Airbus A340.

Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of the airline said:

“After September 11 we moved quickly and decisively to realign our business to the new demands of the market place. Recently Virgin announced a new £25m investment package from both shareholders, Virgin and Singapore Airlines, which has enabled the airline to build on the gradual improvement in market conditions and to strengthen the company’s return to growth and profitability.”

Earlier this year Virgin Atlantic announced plans to create around 300 new jobs over the remainder of the year - the first recruitment drive since the airline’s restructure in response to the event of 11 September. The airline will also be launch customer for the new A340-600 aircraft, the first of which will be delivered this summer.

For further information please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on01293 747373.

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