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Virgin to compete with BA's Scotland to Heathrow links | Virgin to compete with BA's Scotland to Heathrow links |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Virgin Atlantic has set out details of its plans to compete with British Airways on Heathrow links with Scotland. | Virgin Atlantic has set out details of its 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | From 31 March 2013, the planes are to be operated by Aer Lingus, but will be in Virgin Atlantic livery. |
Scheduling is intended to appeal to business travellers wishing to spend a day working in either capital city, with departures from 06.40, as well as linking to international flights in to and out of Heathrow. | Scheduling is intended to appeal to business travellers wishing to spend a day working in either capital city, with departures from 06.40, as well as linking to international flights in to and out of Heathrow. |
Having already committed to fly Heathrow to Manchester, this is the start of short-haul flights for Virgin Atlantic. | Having already committed to fly Heathrow to Manchester, this is the start of short-haul flights for Virgin Atlantic. |
It has seen the opportunity to compete with its long-time British Airways rival, after regulators required it to give up slots to ensure competition is retained on Heathrow's links to Edinburgh and Aberdeen. | It has seen the opportunity to compete with its long-time British Airways rival, after regulators required it to give up slots to ensure competition is retained on Heathrow's links to Edinburgh and Aberdeen. |
As BMI had given up its Glasgow-Heathrow route, regulators did not insist on competition on that route. However, an assessment by the European Commission found there has been a significant increase in British Airways fares on the Glasgow route since BMI withdrew early in 2011. | As BMI had given up its Glasgow-Heathrow route, regulators did not insist on competition on that route. However, an assessment by the European Commission found there has been a significant increase in British Airways fares on the Glasgow route since BMI withdrew early in 2011. |
Steve Ridgeway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said British Airways' monopoly on the Heathrow links is causing "serious consumer harm" which his company intends to challenge. | Steve Ridgeway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said British Airways' monopoly on the Heathrow links is causing "serious consumer harm" which his company intends to challenge. |
"Virgin Atlantic will offer millions of passengers in Scotland and Manchester connections around the world through our and our partners' long-haul network, with the additional benefit of providing direct services to and from London Heathrow," he said. | "Virgin Atlantic will offer millions of passengers in Scotland and Manchester connections around the world through our and our partners' long-haul network, with the additional benefit of providing direct services to and from London Heathrow," he said. |
"This is a robust business model that will protect competition to and from Heathrow for the long-term." | "This is a robust business model that will protect competition to and from Heathrow for the long-term." |
Scotland's Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, welcomed the Virgin Atlantic plans, adding: "We are still concerned about the absence of competition on the Glasgow-Heathrow route, and will continue to promote its re-introduction, as well as our desire for better direct international connectivity. | Scotland's Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, welcomed the Virgin Atlantic plans, adding: "We are still concerned about the absence of competition on the Glasgow-Heathrow route, and will continue to promote its re-introduction, as well as our desire for better direct international connectivity. |
"We also reiterate once again our calls for Air Passenger Duty to be devolved as quickly as possible to provide the means to incentivise new direct international services from Scotland." | "We also reiterate once again our calls for Air Passenger Duty to be devolved as quickly as possible to provide the means to incentivise new direct international services from Scotland." |
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "These services operating from Edinburgh and Aberdeen will provide direct links to and from London Heathrow, as well seamlessly linking into Virgin's long-haul network creating new links between Scotland and the rest of the world. | |
"Together, this will only benefit Scotland's business and leisure travelers." |
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