Virgin Atlantic takes Heathrow slots

UK officials have given Virgin Atlantic the rights to the remaining open slots at Heathrow airport.

Travel Insurance News - 22/11/2012

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UK officials have given Virgin Atlantic the rights to the remaining open slots at Heathrow airport.

Reports said at the weekend that the airline would be awarded all remaining slots made available via the International Airlines Group takeover of BMI, paving way for the Sir Richard Branson-backed airline to launch flights between London’s biggest gateway and Scotland.

Officials from Virgin Atlantic said that the carrier was aiming to begin service from Heathrow to Aberdeen and Edinburgh in the spring. Reports said that the airline will lease an Airbus A320 to operate the new flights.

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgeway told the media that his airline had “fought hard” to gain the slots amid the carrier’s effort to join the short-haul market. He went on to say that it was the start of an “exciting new era” for Virgin and that the airline now “feels a responsibility” for all parties that had provided assistance during the effort.

The news comes nearly a year after the British Airways parent firm acquired British Midland from German owners Lufthansa. As part of the deal, BA was forced to give up some current rights to Heathrow in order to gain approval from regulatory authorities.

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