Flightmapping > News > August 04 > Virgin Airbus Order

Virgin Atlantic Airways today announced that it has reached an agreement to take delivery of 13 new A340-600 aircraft with options for a further 13. In total the deal is worth in excess of $5.5bn. Each aircraft will be equipped with four Rolls Royce Trent 500 engines and deliveries will take place between 2006-08.

Commenting on the deal, Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of the airline, said:

"The Airbus A340-600 is a phenomenal aircraft and Airbus produced a very competitive deal. This is by some way the biggest aircraft order in Virgin Atlantic's history and will enable us to double the size of the airline over the next five years. "Our current fleet of 29 aircraft is already younger than those of our competitors. Together with existing orders for A340-600s and A380s we now have 24 firm orders with options for 19 more aircraft. These aircraft will allow us to add two or three more routes per year as well as expand capacity to existing destinations.

"This order is also great news for British industry with around half the aircraft being built in the UK - engines in Derby and wings at Broughton.

"These new aircraft will enable us to increase the number of passengers we fly each year from four million to eight million. To do so we will be adding capacity around our existing network like the US, China, Japan, India, the Caribbean and Africa. In addition, we'll be adding lots of new destinations - our current wish list includes Melbourne, Dubai, Bangkok, Mumbai, Chicago, Toronto, Jamaica, Nairobi and Rio!"

Flightmapping comment:

Yet another reason to take the train instead of flights from London to Paris or Brussels.

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