Virgin Atlantic Airways sees more than a little red, but things were much simpler 30 years ago

As Virgin Atlantic Airways nears its 30th birthday in Jun-2014, the simplicity of founder Sir Richard Branson's 1984 vision could not stand in greater contrast to the complexity of today. All he had to do was to use his reputation as a record industry entrepreneur and his marketing flair to lease a 747 and have a go at British Airways. Now, CEO Craig Kreeger's in-tray includes the loss-making Little Red, the developing Delta relationship, the arrival of his first 787 in Sep-2014 and future UK airport capacity.

Top of his agenda is restoring profitability, a target Mr Kreeger set after joining the airline in Feb-2013, aiming to achieve it in two years. Virgin's 2013 annual report, filed with the UK's Companies House in Apr-2014, declared it to be confident of achieving this in 2014 after posting its fourth loss in five years.

More recently Mr Kreeger told The Daily Telegraph (17-May-2014): "The goal was to be above breakeven but, to be quite honest, given the progress we've made it will not be a huge amount above breakeven." Is he having a re-think?