Brussels, 15th October, 2002 . Virgin Express (Euronext: VIRE; OTC Bulletin Board: VIRGY) has always been an early adapter and a trendsetter for all new and innovative ways of communication. Especially the internet and all the related interactive channels have always been of strategic importance for the company. Today, the Belgian low fare carrier has taken another step but this time in the mobile phone area, by becoming a launching partner in the Belgian I-Mode project.

The mobile phone offers a new way of providing mobile data services, marking the dawn of a new era by going from mobile voice to mobile data. Mobile phone operator Base will introduce i-mode to the Belgian market. I-Mode offers its users quick and easy access to different sorts of information.

The users of this new mobile phone will be able to access the Virgin Express website for free at all times to obtain information on the Virgin Express destinations, the timetable and a full overview of all current promotions. I-mode users can also register to the mailing list of the Belgian airline. By doing so, they will always be the first to know when a new promotion starts or when a new destination is added to the network.

Paul Sies, Commercial Director of Virgin Express, commented:“We feel that, by participating as the first airline in the I-Mode project in Belgium, we will be able to reach our customers through an extra channel. In the past we have continuously invested in our current distribution channels by offering an easy-to-use website and booking engine, participating in the four main GDS-providers and by constantly retraining our reservation agents. Now we have taken a new step into interactively communicating with our passengers.”

At present Virgin Express is the largest carrier at Brussels Airport. The low fare carrier offers flights from Brussels to a wide variety of major European destinations: Athens, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Faro, Geneva, Gothenburg, Lisbon, London-Heathrow, Madrid, Malaga, Milan, Nice, Rome and Stockholm.

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