Virgin Atlantic to post loss in 2010; benefits from BA cabin crew dispute

Virgin Atlantic CEO, Steve Ridgway, confirmed the carrier will post an annual loss in 2010, but added that the industry is seeing signs of improvement (SKY News, 29-Jul-2010). He said: "It's a long way to come back. I think the whole industry had horrible losses last year but one of the really encouraging figures is we've seen our cargo exports up dramatically." Mr Ridgeway added that Virgin Atlantic has "benefited" from British Airways' cabin crew dispute, stating: "I think that our planes were already pretty full. Certainly during the strike periods people didn't like the uncertainly and we have benefited. Usually when people come and try Virgin they like us and they carry on flying."