RICHARD BRANSON ATTACKS DUOPOLY, PROMISES CHEAPER FARES TO UK.

AsiaPulse News, December, 2004

SYDNEY, Dec 8 Asia Pulse - Virgin Atlantic chairman Richard Branson today promised Australian travellers cheaper flights to the UK and attacked the "cosy duopoly" of Kangaroo route leaders Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX:QAN) and British Airways.

Sir Richard, who was celebrating the arrival today of the first Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Sydney via Hong Kong, has said fares could fall by as much as 30 per cent.

"You will find that just the fact that we are flying will bring prices down," he said.

Virgin Atlantic is offering 800 hundred more seats a day to the UK and expects more price competition among the main carriers.

However, Sir Richard added that the airline was also keen to attract more business class travellers with on board...