If there’s anyone who can milk the media, it’s Richard Branson. With reports that Delta are going to snap up the 49% of Virgin Atlantic, IAG head Willie Walsh has been talking of the Virgin Atlantic brand going away.
Willie Walsh told the press aboard a London – Seoul flight that that he couldn’t see Delta wanting to operate the Virgin brand.
“If they do, what does it say about their brand? And if they don’t, where does it leave the Virgin brand?”
And…
“It’s the slots they are buying. And where does that leave the Virgin brand at Heathrow?”
As well as the sale of the 49% of Virgin Atlantic that Singapore Airlines currently hold, there are also reports that as part of the deal, Virgin will sell some it’s holding to Air France-KLM Group, reducing the Virgin group’s holding below its current 51%.
This displeased Richard Branson, with a post on his blog that makes interesting reading – as well as a challenge.
Now, it’s well known that Virgin Atlantic and BA don’t get along at the best of times, with this harking back to the days of British Airways “Dirty Tricks” campaign against Virgin. However according to Richard Branson:
Rather than suing them on this occasion, I will pay £1 million to their staff if Virgin Atlantic disappears within say five years. If not, BA pays our staff £1 million.
Richard Branson goes on to say:
“Virgin Atlantic was my baby 28 years ago when we set up with just one plane,”
“Like all children, they never really stop being your babies and Virgin Atlantic is still much cherished.”
Whilst IAG/BA will probably not rise to the bait of a £1 Million challenge, it would be interesting if they did – least of all out of spite the Virgin Atlantic brand would be around for a long time to come….
And who says there are no characters in the aviation industry any more?
Say what you will about the guy, he knows how to play on the public stage.