NEWS — HOT STORIES 4
Virgin Atlantic reveals aim to work with any carrier that takes over its Little Red routes
the Boeing 787 would “transform” the airline. Branson said: “It is fantastic Virgin Atlantic is still
around and bringing in a whole new fleet of planes. “We’ve been going 30 years. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and that we’ve maintained the [same] spirit.” The airline began a daily 787 service from
Ian Taylor
Virgin Atlantic will seek to partner any carrier which takes over its Little Red routes next year. Chief executive Craig Kreeger announced this
month subsidiary Little Red would cease flying from Manchester, Edinburgh and Aberdeen to Heathrow. But he said: “If anyone else was to fly the
routes we’d be happy to be a partner. If no one takes the slots they go back to BA. We made the announcement to allow the process to begin.” Kreeger was speaking as Virgin Atlantic launched its first scheduled Dreamliner flights this week, with founder Sir Richard Branson insisting
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Heathrow to Boston on Tuesday and will add daily flights to Washington in mid-December, with New York Newark and JFK to follow early next year. Kreeger said: “We’re replacing more than half the fleet [with 787s]. In four years we expect to have 21.” Virgin is flying the latest 787-9, which Kreeger described as “excellent in operation and bigger, so the economies are better”. Branson dismissed recent remarks by Willie Walsh, head of British Airways parent IAG, suggesting Virgin Atlantic is now run by US shareholder Delta Air Lines.
“We’ve been going 30 years. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved”
He said: “We’re obviously still niggling him [Walsh], which is great. It’s flattery at its best. May Willie Walsh continue to go on about Virgin Atlantic.” The carrier also launched a daily Heathrow-Atlanta service this week.
Abta to start major consumer campaign Ian Taylor
Abta will launch a major consumer campaign next week with a new strapline on its logo assuring holiday buyers they can ‘Travel with confidence’. The association will unveil the strapline and logo at World Travel Market in London on Monday, having sent materials to members this week. It will follow up with a marketing
campaign in print and online in January. The new message to consumers follows extensive focus-group research. Chief executive Mark Tanzer said:
“The brand is a key part of Abta. We’ve always seen building confidence as part of what we do. This makes it more explicit.” The research found consumers have strong trust in the Abta logo and a good understanding of what Abta does. Tanzer said: “The fact that we have standards, that
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travelweekly.co.uk — 30 October 2014
our members are bona fide, was very strong – as was the fact consumers have recourse if something goes wrong. Financial protection was a part of this but not the main thing at all.” He said: “Travel with confidence is a powerful message for members to use on the frontline. It builds on the strong trust in Abta and our members.” Abta will retain its existing strapline ‘The Travel Association’ for corporate and trade communications. Tanzer said: “We want to be seen as
the voice of the industry.” Members were due to receive a toolkit at the end of this week, including the revised logo, consumer leaflets, a video link and guidelines on using
the materials. Details of the ad campaign have yet to be finalised, but Tanzer said: “A significant budget has been earmarked. We’ll hit consumers in January and want members to be ready.”
MORE HOT STORIES
Rudimental entertains passengers on Virgin’s inaugural Atlanta flight last week
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