Company Watch - Virgin Group

Aug 27, 2007

Virgin America bases technology infrastructure on Linux. Virgin America based its information technology infrastructure on inexpensive servers that run the Linux operating system. The airline built many of its applications using using low-cost, modifiable "open source" software. Meanwhile, most airlines use more expensive mainframe systems and airline-specific software. Aug 21, 2007

Virgin Blue Airlines and its three-year old New Zealand subsidiary Pacific Blue have announced major plans for a new domestic airline for New Zealand with flights commencing in November 2007. The successful Pacific Blue brand will be used. Aug 23, 2007

Virgin Blue, 62 percent owned by Toll Holdings, also flies to New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. It has about a third of Australia's domestic market where it competes against Qantas and its budget carrier Jetstar. Virgin has six Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft on order with options for another six. Competition is hotting up in Australia's domestic market with the arrival of Singapore's Tiger Airways and Qantas expanding its services. Middle Eastern carriers are also adding flights on Australia routes. Aug 21, 2007

Virgin Blue Doubles Profit On Strong Demand. Australian airline Virgin Blue almost doubled its full-year earnings after attracting more corporate travelers, helping offset rising fuel bills. Virgin Blue, Australia's second-largest airline, said it expected further revenue growth this year but also higher costs as it sets up new services in New Zealand and to the United States. Net profit for the year to June 30 was AUD$216 million (USD$174 million) compared with AUD$112 million a year earlier. Net profit before one-off items was AUD$232 million. Aug 21, 2007

Virgin Blue rival Qantas Airways said last week passenger demand had pushed up annual earnings 50 percent and tipped a strong year with no sign of a let up in appetite for air travel. Virgin Blue said it has 49 percent of its fuel requirements hedged for the current year and 77 percent of its currency requirements hedged. The company last month said it planned to launch a new airline called V Australia to fly on routes between Australia and the United States. The plan still needs US regulatory approval. Aug 21, 2007

Pacific Blue, the international arm of Australia's Virgin Blue, will launch domestic services in New Zealand on Nov. 15. Initially the carrier will dedicate two 737-800s to flights between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It announced promotional fares from NZ$39 ($27.17), while normal fares will be equal to or above those of Air New Zealand, according to ANZ GM-Short-Haul Airlines Norm Thompson. Aug 24, 2007

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