Originally Posted by
ANstar
Ok so it is kind of nitpicking - but doesn't really seem to imply he is giving up control anytime soon however you interpret it.
"Rumours have been spread in the press that I am planning to give up control of Virgin Atlantic and, according to Willie Walsh - who runs BA - that our brand will soon disappear.
This is wishful thinking and totally misguided. Will BA never learn? Let's see how much they believe this. Let them put their money where their mouth is."
Branson is very good at using "diplomatic speak".
Actually, I think he could have it both ways: DL buys the 49% from SQ and signs a JV with VS. Branson keeps his 51%, but the JV contract stipulates that both DL and VS have an equal say in the JV operation. Then who is in control of VS? Branson could argue to the press he is, while DL could argue that they are as well.
