Virgin picks US exec as its new airline leader January 8, 2013 VIRGIN Atlantic has hired American Airlines executive Craig Kreeger as its new chief executive, replacing Steve Ridgway at the carrier from 1 February. Kreeger, who has beaten internal candidate Julie Southern to the top job, joins the firm as it navigates a new tie-up with US giant Delta Air Lines. The search for Ridgway’s replacement [...]
Christmas rush helps UK airlines end the year with rising traffic January 7, 2013 THE CHRISTMAS getaway has pushed up ticket sales at some of the country’s biggest airlines, according to figures out yesterday. EasyJet said traffic rose 4.9 per cent on a year ago to 4.34m in December. Its load factor – a measure of how much the firm fills its planes – rose 2.3 percentage points to [...]
Rapid responses January 6, 2013 Export revolution [Re: We need an export-led revolution to save the UK economy, Friday] Exporting is a key area where the UK should be doing better. An “export-led revolution” should focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are not keeping up with the pace of our overseas competitors. Currently, only 20 per cent of [...]
There’s more to Nassau than relaxation and sun January 1, 2013 IN NASSAU, a red 1970 Gold Leaf Lotus Élan, zooms up the hill. A chequered flag waves and a yellow 1957 Ferrari 500 can be spotted up ahead, with a blue Aston Martin DB5 shimmering in the tropical sun in the distance. Someone who looks like Sean Connery is shaking hands with spectators. It could [...]
Virgin Atlantic ups BA rivalry as Delta buys $360m stake December 11, 2012 VIRGIN Atlantic executives said yesterday that the airline’s new partnership with US giant Delta will help it take on rival British Airways. Delta revealed that it has spent $360m (£223m) to buy Singapore Airlines’ 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic – a holding that cost Singapore £600m in 1999. Julie Southern, Virgin Atlantic’s chief [...]
Branson lays down £1m bet to BA’s Walsh December 10, 2012 VIRGIN founder Sir Richard Branson yesterday insisted that the brand will not disappear if a new investor takes a stake in his airline. As Delta nears a deal to buy Singapore Airlines’ 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard hinted that he will not give up control of the carrier. He wrote a [...]
What the other papers say this morning December 9, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Banks plan to move 3,000 from City Three global investment banks plan to move 3,000 City of London jobs to other UK cities and towns over the next few years, bringing respite to regional financial centres as they struggle against heavy job losses in banking and insurance. The moves by Bank of America, [...]
Virgin unveils new routes but no sign of Delta December 9, 2012 VIRGIN Atlantic will begin its challenge to British Airways’ domestic routes in April with 24 flights a day, the firm confirmed today. But the firm remains tight-lipped about reports that US airline Delta is close to buying Singapore Airlines’ 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic. Delta is believed to be in talks with its [...]
The transformation of Jessica Ennis December 7, 2012 I ADORE Victoria Beckham and Alexander McQueen…” “I’d love to start my own fashion label…” “I’ve been to two award ceremonies in the last two nights…” You would be forgiven for thinking these were the words of a Hollywood starlet or seasoned pop star. But this is Jessica Ennis – the poster girl for the [...]
IAG November traffic rises on good results at British Airways December 5, 2012 INTERNATIONAL Airlines Group (IAG) yesterday posted a rise in November traffic, as strong growth at British Airways again made up for weakness at Spain’s Iberia. Traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, rose by 3.6 per cent versus November 2011, while passenger load factor – a measure of how well it fills its planes – was [...]