Branson heads for Weight Watchers
LONDON: Sir Richard Branson’s planes are about to lose weight – and so is the Virgin Atlantic boss.
He has signed a £4billion deal for a fleet of 15 fuel-efficient Boeing 787s made of lighter carbon fibre instead of more usual aluminum.
Virgin says the deal recognises the fuel efficiency gains that using twin-engined aircraft can provide.
Branson claimed that the 787, known as the Dreamliner, would use 27% less fuel than Virgin’s existing Airbus 340-300 per passenger. It would also be 60% quieter carrying about the same number of passengers.
He has flagged Perth in Australia and Hawaii as possible new services for the 787s.
But Sir Richard, 57, and Boeing boss Jim McNerney must also shed 14lb each after failing to spot a joke clause inserted in the contract by lawyers.
It read: “The parties hereby agree each … will lose one stone within the next four years to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”
London’s Daily Mirror said McNerney and Sir Richard saw the funny side of the gag.
A Virgin spokesman said: “He really must read contracts properly before signing them. He thought it was hilarious, though.”
Friends of the Earth called the weight-loss challenge a “cheap gimmick”.
Ian Jarrett
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