LondonCity From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2008, 1214 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2810 times:
Interesting report in today's Daily Telegaph about the fact that Sir Richard Branson, the founder of VS, has hired Deutsche Bank to "examine strategic options for Virgin Atlantic in a move that could eventually see him relinquish control of his airline."
It seems VS is feeling the heat from the big airline alliances and especially on the transatlantic where I imagine VS makes most of its money.
STT757 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 16319 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 2690 times:
I think the solution lay somewhere in here;
Quote: A long-term option remains a merger between Virgin Atlantic and Bmi, another Star member now owned by Lufthansa. Sir Richard has long coveted Bmi's ownership of 10pc of Heathrow slots and its medium-haul network that he could use to feed Virgin's long-haul flights to around 30 destinations.
Talks between the two companies over a deal broke down in 2008 – and have not been rekindled after Lufthansa last year paid a pricey £223m to take control of the loss-making Bmi.
Longer term, however, one deal that remains under consideration would see Sir Richard inject Virgin Atlantic into a new airline company and Lufthansa inject Bmi. While the German carrier would take majority control of the new company, it would use Virgin's brand and its partners in the Star Alliance to take on BA and Oneworld out of Heathrow. Singapore could see its stake diluted or exit
Bringing BMI and VS together in Star Alliance makes the most sense.
VS11 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 978 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2315 times:
I love this quote: "This remains the big airline deal, if anyone can work out how to do it."
We have certainly discussed all possible outcomes here in the forum, and it appears that the issue has been money - who is willing to give what for what airline....the surprising news is that SRB has hired someone to "evaluate strategic options" - that's an investment banking code for "the owner wants to sell"....intriguing twist....
Dl767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2304 times:
The biggest problem for VS is they're going alone in an alliance centered route network. Their biggest market is the transatlantic market and they're competing against joint ventures and airlines like DL UA CO AA and others that can bring traffic in from other markets using partner airlines. Honestly seeing VS become part of skyteam would be possible
david_itl From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2001, 7168 posts, RR: 14 Reply 5, posted (2 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2249 times:
Wonder what they are planning ex-MAN as they are going to get their own executive lounge. Not much point if they are focusing on the bucket+spade routes unless they have some medium term plans about the network they plan out of MAN.
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