Etihad expresses interest in Virgin Atlantic: reports

Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines have reportedly hired Goldman Sachs Group to assist them in a possible joint bid for Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd (The Telegraph, 21-Feb-2011). Sir Richard Branson, who owns a 51% stake in Virgin Atlantic, has reportedly appointed Deutsche Bank AG to study future business options. There have also been reports that Etihad Airways may have written to Deutsche Bank expressing interest in a bid, and have hired Bank of America-Merrill Lynch as advisers.