Νέα στρατηγική συνεργασία ανακοινώθηκε μεταξύ των εταιριών Virgin Atlantic και Delta Airlines, ύστερα από την εξαγορά 49% των μετοχών Virgin που διέθετε η Singapore Airlines από την αμερικανική Delta, έναντι του ποσού των $360 εκ. H συνεργασία αυτή θα διευρύνει σημαντικά το δίκτυο της Virgin Atlantic προς Βόρεια & Κεντρική Αμερική (ΗΠΑ, Καναδά, Μεξικό) και ειδικότερα στο δρομολόγιο New York/ JFK - London/Heathrow, εμπλουτίζοντας την προσφορά προς τους επιβάτες της δημοφιλούς αεροπορικής εταιρίας του Ην. Βασιλείου.
Ο Richard Branson, ιδρυτής της Virgin Atlantic, διατηρεί το 51% των μετοχών και φυσικά τον έλεγχο της αεροπορικής εταιρίας που ίδρυσε το 1984 και έχει διακριθεί με πολλές παγκόσμιες βραβεύσεις.
Σήμερα, η Virgin Atlantic διαθέτει 38 αεροσκάφη σε έναν από τους νεότερους στόλους αεροσκαφών 747-400s, A340-300s, A340-600s και A330-300, ενώ αναμένει 16 ολοκαίνουρια 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners το 2014.
Εκτελεί πτήσεις προς 34 προορισμούς σε Βόρειο Αμερική, Καραϊβική, Αφρική, Άπω Ανατολή και Αυστραλία. Από τους καινούριους προορισμούς είναι το Κανκούν, το Βανκούβερ και η Μουμπάι.
New strategic alliance with Delta Air Lines
On 11th December 2012, Delta aquired a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic from Singapore Airlines. Virgin Group – and Richard Branson – will continue as majority shareholder with a 51% stake in Virgin Atlantic. The new partnership with Delta will provide a significant boost for both airlines between North America and the UK, particularly in the New York-London market, which is one of the most competitive business markets in the world. A joint venture with Delta which will create an expanded transatlantic network. By combining the strengths of the two companies in a joint venture, Virgin will be able to offer better serve customers travelling between North America and the UK and continue building a better airline for its employees, shareholders and most importantly, its customers.
In order to realise all the benefits of the joint venture, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) will need to grant Delta and Virgin Atlantic regulatory approval, so that the joint venture will come into effect within the next 12 months.
Virgin Atlantic flies to 34 destinations worldwide, including locations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Far East and Australia. Some of its most recent additions to its flying network include Cancun, Vancouver and Mumbai.
Virgin Atlantic has enjoyed huge popularity, winning top business, consumer and trade awards from around the world and was recently placed 8th in the UK Coolest Brands League. The airline has pioneered a range of innovations setting new standards of service, which its competitors have subsequently sought to follow. Despite Virgin Atlantic's growth the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation.
Virgin Atlantic currently has a fleet of aircraft which includes 747-400s, A340-300s, A340-600s and A330-300s. The airline is expecting delivery of 16 Boeing 787 Dreamliners from 2014.
