dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider has welcomed Virgin Atlantic’s return to Dubai International Airport (DXB) for the first time since March 2019. The company’s dedicated team will deliver a range of ramp and passenger services, ensuring the highest level of quality and safety for the airline and its passengers at the world’s largest international airport.
The UK-based airline re-commenced its flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on 30 October, with a four-weekly service to cater for the popular winter travel season, operating a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Eligible Virgin Atlantic customers will also have access to the Marhaba-operated SkyTeam lounge at DXB’s Terminal 1.
In the year 2018 to March 2019, the air services provider’s team provided a warm welcome and assisted almost 180,000 Virgin Atlantic passengers and holidaymakers from over 360 flights between Dubai International and London Heathrow.
Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s Senior Vice President of airport Operations, UAE and MEA, said: "We are delighted to welcome Virgin Atlantic back to Dubai International. Dubai is expected to be extremely busy with travellers keen for some winter sun, and we look forward to once again working with the airline’s local team to provide their customers with a best-in-class, memorable airport experience."
Liezl Gericke, Head of International at Virgin Atlantic, commented: "We’ve long wanted to return to Dubai when the time was right, and we know our customers will be over the moon with the reintroduction of this popular route. Nothing sets our hearts soaring like a new destination or reintroducing an old favourite. We look forward to welcoming our customers back on board, whether travelling for business or leisure or heading back to the United Kingdom to reconnect with friends and family."
Virgin Atlantic has also selected dnata Representation Services to provide a comprehensive range of services to the airline as its general sales agent (GSA) in the UAE. The partnership establishes UAE-based infrastructure for local sales, marketing and distribution support, providing a full range of travel services for Virgin customers flying to and from Dubai.
dnata is a leading global air and travel services provider. Established in 1959, the company offers quality and safe ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services in over 30 countries across six continents. In the financial year 2022-23, dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled over 710,000 aircraft turns, moved over 2.7 million tonnes of cargo, uplifted 111.4 million meals, and recorded a total transaction value (TTV) of travel services of US$ 1.9 billion.
Used cooking oil helped to power a British Airways Airbus A350 to New York today, the first of the carriers US-bound flights to operate after the US lifted restrictions imposed on British travellers for more than 18 months.
The airline used the flight number BA001, previously adorning the New York club world service from London City Airport and prior to the carriers prestigious service for Concorde. It was flown by one of a fuel-efficient Airbus A350 aircraft that was directly powered by a 35% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provided by bp and made from used cooking oil. BA thinks this is the first commercial transatlantic flight ever to be operated with such a significant level of the fuel blended with traditional jet fuel*. The blend of SAF used on the flight today means the overall CO2 emissions are more than 50 per cent less than those emitted by the now-retired 747 aircraft which previously operated on this route.
In addition, British Airways also offset all emissions associated with the flight, to demonstrate the various ways in which the airline is decarbonising its operations **.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is produced from sustainable feedstocks and is similar in chemistry to traditional fossil jet fuel. Using SAF results in a reduction in carbon emissions compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces over the lifecycle of the fuel and can drop straight into existing fuel supply infrastructure and aircraft. It has the potential to provide a lifecycle carbon reduction of more than 80% compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces
British Airways’ Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle said: “Today is about celebrating the UK-US reopening of the transatlantic corridor after more than 600 days of separation, and it was fantastic to be able to mark this by synchronising the take-off of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flights for the first time ever.
While flying is vital to connect the world and support the UK’s economic recovery from the pandemic, it’s important for us to use this moment to demonstrate how we’re driving our decarbonisation plans forward, and what the future will look like for aviation. That’s why we’ve directly powered our first flight to the US today with sustainable aviation fuel and offset emissions on behalf of our customers. We’re looking forward to the Government’s continued support to ensure the development and mass production of sustainable aviation fuel continues at pace.”
In a special coordinated arrangement, the British Airways flight took off from London Heathrow at exactly the same time as a Virgin Atlantic flight, VS3, also to New York's JFK airport.
UK Ambassador to the United States, Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, said: “Today is an incredibly exciting and meaningful day for the UK-US relationship. We can all once again travel to each other’s countries to visit families, take holidays, and conduct transatlantic business. I am absolutely thrilled that safe and sustainable travel can fully resume between the UK and the United States.”
The lifting of the restrictions means that British and European airlines can restart operations across the Atlantic in a meaningful way. BA for example is re-starting direct services to 17 US destinations with the airline set to extend its services to 23 US airports this winter, with up to 246 flights a week. The airline is increasing New York-bound flights from five to eight per day in December. Plus there will also be double-daily services to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, Dallas, Miami and Toronto, as well as daily services to Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Atlanta, Denver, Houston and Vancouver.
Four aviation decarbonisation projects supported by British Airways recently received Government funding as part of the Department of Transport's Green Fuels, Green Skies (GFGS) competition. All of these projects have a clear potential to produce SAF capable of reducing emissions by more than 70% on a lifecycle basis when used in place of conventional fossil jet fuel***.
*Current regulations stipulate that the maximum sustainable aviation fuel blend passenger aircraft can use is 50%. Today’s flight is operating using 35% sustainable aviation fuel and 65% traditional jet fuel
**Carbon projects supported through voluntary carbon offsetting include the protection of the rainforests, improved cookstove distribution and the replacement of fossil fuel with wind and solar power
***British Airways is partnering with technology company Velocys on the Altalto project to build a commercial waste-to-SAF plant in Immingham, Lincolnshire. Project Speedbird is a collaboration between British Airways, LanzaJet and Nova Pangaea, using waste wood, with a goal of producing 100 million litres of sustainable fuel a year from 2025, sufficient to decarbonise 1,400 flights from London to New York operated by an A350 aircraft. The airline is also working on two further decarbonization projects with LanzaTech and LanzaJet that, if successful, could each produce more than 100 million litres a year of SAF. The first would involve capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and converting it into SAF. The second would support the development of a SAF plant in Port Talbot, South Wales that would produce SAF from waste and industrial gases, with the potential to support significant jobs in the area
Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Delta Cargo have extended their long-standing partnership with dnata for a further five years, continuing the successful operation of ground handling and export services from the joint London Heathrow hub and Manchester Airport. The partnership also includes regional cargo gateways London Gatwick, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
dnata will continue to support the carriers’ cargo operations from its state-of-the-art City East facilities at London Heathrow, boasting new technologies and award-winning practices including:
18 customer delivery doors with a Gatehouse concept.
ETV (Elevated Transfer Vehicle), capable of full automation, with 245 pallet positions, up 20%, which enables the loading of flights in ‘trim order’ to support the airlines’ on-time performance.
High-rise racking with 1,350 positions for storing export freight, eliminating unnecessary movements of shipments.
A dedicated Pharma Zone and increased capacity for temperature-controlled and perishables cargoes.
Special facilities for Dangerous Goods and Live Animal shipment.
X-ray technology with enhanced imaging capability, reducing the need for secondary cargo screening.
Advanced internal and external high-definition CCTV systems to ensure a safe and secure working environment.
Virgin Hyperloop and Bangalore International Airport Limited Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Conduct Feasibility Study
MoU to study viable hyperloop corridors from BLR Airport
BIAL aims to make BLR Airport a transportation hub
Hyperloop could connect BLR Airport to the city centre in about 10 minute
Virgin Hyperloop, the category leader in hyperloop technology, and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of the award-winning Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport), signed a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed hyperloop corridor from BLR Airport.
The MoU was exchanged virtually between Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop and DP World, and Mr. T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka and Chairman of the Board of Directors at BIAL in the presence of Mr Kapil Mohan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development Department, Government of Karnataka.
The ups and downs of the financially troubled Virgin Atlantic have been so much like a rollercoaster in recent days it has been hard to keep up with, the recuse deal was on then off and then on again. So, here's the latest...... at least for now!
Tuesday 14th July, Virgin Atlantic announces basic details of a plan to 'solvently recapitalise' the airline'. The press release said the recapitalisation would deliver a refinancing package worth c.£1.2bn over the next 18 months in addition to measures already taken.
The plan would have seen The Virgin Group investing £200 million, deferral of £400 million shareholders deferrals and waivers. Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP investing £170m and creditors supporting the firm with £450 million of deferrals. The press release at the time indicated this was going to be done through a court-sanctioned process under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006, paving the way for this weeks action.
Tuesday 4th August, Virgin Atlantic has filed for bankruptcy in the UK, a position designed to allow creditors to vote on the much talked about financial restructuring proposals later this month. The company telling the court that it only had enough cash to last until 28th of next month without the restructuring deal going through.
Virgin Atlantic also files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in New York, which non-U.S. companies have to do in order to protect its assets while it goes through a potential restructuring.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: "In order to progress the private-only solvent recapitalisation of the airline, the restructuring plan is going through a court-sanctioned process under Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006, to secure approval from all relevant creditors before implementation. With support already secured from the majority of stakeholders, it’s expected that the restructuring plan and recapitalisation will come into effect in September. We remain confident in the plan."
The meeting of creditors will take place with the vote occurring on August 25th.
So, yes, while Virgin Atlantic is technically bankrupt, it is only a temporary measure in order to allow its creditors to vote on the restructuring plan. The carrier will continue to operate as normal while this action goes on and the future of the company, well that really depends on the creditors meeting and what they decide to do. It is a fair assumption that they all will vote for the deal to go ahead, at least that way, they have some chance of getting the bulk of the money they are owed back - albeit over a much longer period than was envisaged. Some see it as rather telling that Delta, the U.S. carrier which currently owns 49% of Virgin is not a key player in the restructuring deal, it has refused to invest more on the troubled carrier, just deferring some of the money it is due.
What does this mean for passengers? Our chief aviation editor Jason Shaw explains: "There isn't a great deal of difference for passengers, the airline is still going to operate as normal. Flights are still going on schedule, the frequent flyer programme - The Flying Club continues with passengers being able to either, spend, earn or transfer miles as normal. Nothing in the latest announcements, which the mainstream media paint as catastrophic, should give a great cause for concern."
"The airline is still ploughing through refunds for cancelled flights, at a rather glacial pace it seems, and this will continue throughout the whole process going on at the courts and at the meetings."
"As for the future, the Virgin brand, whilst slightly tarnished is still strong and still popular with a lot of the travelling public. The airline's service and staff are still its best assets, so I see no reason why it shouldn't survive the current turmoil, that is providing, of course, the creditors see a long term future for a return if the plan goes ahead. If I needed to, I'd still book a future flight with Virgin Atlantic, but if I was asked if I would either take a credit voucher or a full cash refund for a cancelled flight - I'd opt for the latter."
VOX Space, the subsidiary company of Virgin Orbit, has signed a new agreement annex with the US Air Force to conduct LauncherOne missions to space from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
This development sets the stage for one of LauncherOne’s first ever missions and the very first to launch out of Andersen Air Force Base. The mission has been labelled STP-27VP and its manifest includes several small satellites performing experiments and technology demonstrations for the US Department of Defense.
The new partnership provides customers with more convenient flight schedules and a shared goal of ensuring a smooth and consistent travel experience, whichever airline people fly. The partnership also provides the flexibility to book flights on any of the four carriers through their respective mobile apps, websites, or via travel agents. Customers will enjoy award-winning service, top-tier premium cabin products and complimentary food, drink and seat-back in-flight entertainment in all cabins on all trans-Atlantic flights.
Enhanced customer benefits starting from 13 February mean that loyalty programme members will be able to earn and use miles or enjoy elite benefits for flights on any of the four airlines’ worldwide operations, including a trans-Atlantic trip, intra-Europe hops, or domestic U.S. journey, offering more opportunities to quickly move through loyalty tiers and reach a higher status. Eligible Elite loyalty programme members can also enjoy priority boarding and relax in over 100 airport lounges when travelling internationally.
The UK Space Agency will award £7.35 million to Virgin Orbit UK Limited, the UK branch of US launch operator Virgin Orbit, to enable horizontal launch of small satellites at Cornwall Airport Newquay, it was confirmed on Tuesday 5th November.
The funding will help to develop advanced ground support equipment, including UK-based manufacturing of key equipment, and conduct mission planning. Together with funding from the Cornwall Council for spaceport infrastructure, this grant helps secure the first satellite launch from Spaceport Cornwall, which Virgin Orbit are planning for the early 2020s, pending regulatory approvals.
Spaceport Cornwall estimates a horizontal launch spaceport at Cornwall Airport Newquay could create 150 immediate jobs, with additional opportunities for local businesses indirectly supporting the site.
Science Minister, Chris Skidmore said: "We want the UK to be the first country in Europe to give its small satellite manufacturers a clear route from the factory to the spaceport. That’s why it’s so important that we are developing new infrastructure to allow aircraft to take off and deploy satellites, a key capability that the UK currently lacks.
The Royal Air Force and Virgin Orbit have selected the RAF pilot to be seconded to the company’s ground-breaking small satellite launch programme.
The partnership between the RAF and Virgin Orbit was unveiled at the Air and Space Power conference in July. Following a tough selection process, Air Vice-Marshal Simon ‘Rocky’ Rochelle and Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart have announced that Flight Lieutenant Mathew ‘Stanny’ Stannard had been selected.
Flight Lieutenant Stannard is currently a Typhoon pilot with one of the RAF’s test and evaluation squadrons and is scheduled to join the pioneering Virgin Orbit programme next year, pending final US and UK regulatory approvals.
The Royal Air Force and Virgin Orbit have selected the RAF pilot to be seconded to the company’s ground-breaking small satellite launch programme.
The partnership between the RAF and Virgin Orbit was unveiled at the Air and Space Power conference in July. Following a tough selection process, Air Vice-Marshal Simon ‘Rocky’ Rochelle and Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart have announced that Flight Lieutenant Mathew ‘Stanny’ Stannard had been selected.
Flight Lieutenant Stannard is currently a Typhoon pilot with one of the RAF’s test and evaluation squadrons and is scheduled to join the pioneering Virgin Orbit programme next year, pending final US and UK regulatory approvals.
As India moves to create the first hyperloop project in the world, Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) has released new jobs figures for the entire project verified by KPMG, a strategic partner, estimating that it will create over 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs in the region through the creation of a hyperloop route.
The proposed hyperloop directly addresses all key targets of the new Industrial Policy released in April 2019 which intends to make Maharashtra a trillion dollar economy, and the project would directly or indirectly promote 9 out of 14 “thrust sectors” identified by the new policy.
Virgin Orbit, the small satellite launch firm set up by the veteran entrepreneur Richard Branson has signed an agreement with ANA Holdings, the parent company of All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, to bring the company’s LauncherOne service to Japan.
Subject to US Government regulatory approvals, Virgin Orbit’s unique and responsive system—which uses a 747 widebody jet as a ’flying launch pad’ for its rocket—will complement existing Japanese ground launch vehicles, enabling near-term access to space by the private sector, helping to grow the country’s burgeoning small satellite ecosystem, and helping to elevate Japan as the premier space transport hub in Asia.
Major changes are in store for the way Virgin Atlantic female cabin crew could look in the future as the carrier, majority owned by US airline Delta, changes its grooming and dress standards.
Virgin will no longer demand its female staff wear make-up or wear those tight tailored skirts in its uniform dress guidelines. From now on the airline says its female cabin crew members can opt to wear long trousers skirts for work as part of their normal uniform, rather than having to get special permission.
Virgin Atlantic spokesman Mark Anderson said: "Not only do the new guidelines offer an increased level of comfort, they also provide our team with more choice on how they want to express themselves at work."
Yet, the image Virgin provided for this dramatic change in policy, shows three female members of staff all wearing skirts and all wearing make-up!
It's been just days since Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus came together to put in an official deal for the troubled regional airline, Flybe, which could lead to the birth of the Virgin Atlantic brand flying small regional thin routes in the UK.
Many in the industry see the dilution of the so-called sacred Virgin Atlantic brand in this way would almost certainly prove to be disastrous in the long run for Virgin Atlantic. Although some have a more positive appreciation of the Virgin Atlantic brand on domestic and European travel.
FlyBe's share price tumbled down on news of the offer of £2.2 million from the Virgin lead consortium, called 'Connect Airways' - nothing to do with the Swiss Connect Air that ran between 2004 and 2008 or the Connectair, the feeder airline for British Caledonian in the 80's which went on to become Air Europe Express.
Interesting to note, that one of the few people buying FlyBe shares is one William Andrew Tinkler, the former boss of Stobart, who just happens to be involved in a rather acrimonious legal dispute with the company. Apparently, Tinkler and two other leading business people were looking at taking over Flybe or merging it with Stobart Air many many months ago!
Earlier today, Tuesday 15th January, the bid for FlyBe had to be increased to £2.8 million and a bridging loan mentioned in the original announcement was declined, although Flybe didn't say exactly why. However, a revised Bridge Facility of up to £20 million from Virgin and Stobart, to provide funding to Flybe Limited, of which £10 million will be released today to support the business. In addition, a number of improved agreements with banks have also been reached today to improve liquidity was agreed.
Virgin Atlantic is going to launch a loyalty programme across the group the airline announced this week. They say the new programme will have unique and differentiated reward opportunities, to reward customer loyalty across Virgin-branded companies.
Apparently, the new loyalty programme will give members the opportunity to earn and spend ‘miles’, across a range of products and services via a new company, Virgin Group Loyalty Company that is being established to own and manage the new offering. The airline tells us the new programme will be up and running in 2019. It will be owned jointly by Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines, which owns half of Virgin Atlantic.
Confusingly, Virgin Atlantic will continue its own Flying Club frequent flyer programme, but its members will also be able to spend miles with the new programme. Andrew Swaffield, CEO of VGLC, said: “Virgin is one of the most admired brands in the UK and across the world, serving 53 million customers each year across 60 companies. Customers expect to be rewarded for their loyalty to Virgin and we want to ensure Virgin customers get the very best rewards possible. Our ambition is to bring the Virgin companies together and combine their appeal to customers, working together to create a truly outstanding offer”
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that its domestic venture, called Little Red, will halt its service after just 18 months in operation.
The airline, which is part-owned by Delta Airlines, is to end flights between London Heathrow and Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen next year.
The latest airline offshoot was launched in March 2013, with much fanfare and hype after Virgin gained control of domestic slots at Heathrow following a European Commission ruling in after British Airways’ took over bmi.
Little Red was intended to act as a feeder airline for Virgin's long haul trans-Atlantic routes, yet in confirming the closure, Virgin admitted that despite its hope of passengers connecting through to long-haul flights, much of the traffic had come from point to point traffic.
Virgin said its daily Little Red services between London and Manchester will end in March next year, with its Scottish routes closing next September.
There are changing times ahead for loss making Virgin Atlantic. The vibrant and colourful airline is all set to increase flights between the UK and the US but is cutting destinations further away as part of its push to return to profitability.
Virgin Atlantic is majority-owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Management company and is consolidating its route pan after a review of its network, working in partnership with its American shareholder Delta Airlines. Delta snapped up Singapore Airline’s 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic for $360m (£219m) in 2012, and established a joint venture in January of this year, following regulatory approval.
This latest shake-up sees Virgin intensify its service across the Atlantic, a move to ensure its aircraft service more profitable routes. Mr Kreeger, who took over from long-standing chief executive Steve Ridgway in February last year and has said he wants Virgin to break-even by the end of the current financial year. These changes are intended to create what he hopes will be a successful and sustainably profitable business.
Facing the axe are flights to far-away destinations including Mumbai, Tokyo Narita, Vancouver and Cape Town which will all end over the next nine months. In their place come a new service to Detroit, also on the way are extra services to New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco and Miami.
Virgin are also swapping some services with Delta, allowing the US airline to fly an extra flight from Heathrow each day, whilst Virgin will be adding a flight between Manchester and Atlanta.
“Transatlantic flying has always been at the heart of our network, and our most financially successful region,” Mr Kreeger said.
Continuing that the restructuring allowed Virgin to play to its “strengths” and focus on routes “most important to our customers.”
Commenting on the current speculation of airport expansion in the UK's south east, Mr Kreeger added that Virgin would “love to” re-enter the four international cities to which it is cutting services if Heathrow were to be expanded. The airline has long been a supporter of an expanded Heathrow.
Virgin is not just a US destined carrier, even after the cuts that airline will still have international flights to a number of cities including Delhi, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Dubai, as well as an impressive array of Caribbean routes.
Virgin also confirmed it was committing £300m over the next four years to the benefit of customers, alongside the introduction of the airline’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliners, due to launch in late October.
Virgin Atlantic has had to fork out £47,600 compensation to 101 passengers who had been delayed on one of their flights from the US in 2012. The flight had been delayed by around 26 hours and the airline was forced to make the payout followinglast month’s Huzar ruling at the Court of Appeal, which stated that airlines cannot reject claims for delays caused by technical defects.
Virgin plans to compete with British Airways on Heathrow links with Scotland. It is to fly six round trips between the London airport and Edinburgh, with three round trips linking it with Aberdeen.
The airline says 150 people will be employed as a result of the move. Virgin Atlantic will take over landing slots from BMI, after it was bought by British Airways owner, IAG.
From 31 March 2013, the planes are to be operated by Aer Lingus, but will be in Virgin Atlantic livery.
