Originally Posted by
orbitmic
I think that creating a new airline (United Kingdom airline or whatever) would be less efficient in my view as you would need to rebuild brand recognition from start.
Exactly. If they ditched the Virgin brand (and I really struggle to see why they would do so), the only other realistic option is to create some hybrid name that signals the Delta and/or Air France ownership. But they couldn't just go and call it Delta, surely, particularly on the basis that Delta can never own more than 49% of it, and "Delta" as an entity is therefore somewhat separate?
Originally Posted by
orbitmic
I do very much wonder what network they would keep too and also whether some lines could be transfered to the new airline which probably has lower operating costs than, say, AF or KL on LHR-CDG or LHR-AMS. I also wonder how this would tie with the new slots/routes VS has gained as part of the remedial to IAG's acquisition of BD and end on competition on some routes (mostly domestic network).
VS announced today that, as expected, their shorthaul network will be operated, as a wet lease, by Aer Lingus. EI will have 4 A320s reconfigured in Virgin livery and the staff will wear Virgin uniforms. A deal, for 3 years, has been signed.
Interesting that they got this piece of news out today, seemingly only days before the news about a change in the ownership structure. Otherwise, we might have seen CityJet (perhaps?) called in to operate a Virgin shorthaul "network" once more! (CityJet operated DUB-LCY in Virgin colours in its very early days, long before it had any affiliation with Air France).