Fiercely independent Virgin Atlantic struggles to attain profitability

Virgin Atlantic Airways has always had an independent approach and part of the carrier's DNA is giving British Airways a run for its money. But competing with its larger archrival is becoming increasingly difficult as British Airways (BA) has considerably enlarged its London Heathrow slot portfolio through the acquisition of bmi, giving it more scope to grow at the congested airport. BA also benefits from antitrust immunity with its oneworld partners on trans-Atlantic routes.

Passenger growth at Virgin Atlantic has stalled as economic uncertainty has settled over Europe. The company accrued a pre-tax operating loss of GBP80.2 million in its latest fiscal year ending 28-Feb-2012, reversing a GBP18.5 million profit recorded in the previous 12 months. Revenue for the company, which includes Virgin Atlantic Airways and tour operator Virgin Holidays, rose 3% year-over-year in FY2012 to GBP2.74 billion but, as CEO Steve Ridgway noted, "with the prevailing uncertainty in the economy, sky high fuel prices and a 25% hike in our air passenger duty fees, converting this sales growth into profit has not been possible".