Virgin plans first UK domestic operation
Virgin Atlantic is planning to launch its first domestic flights if it wins 12 pairs of Heathrow slots to be relinquished by British Airways' parent IAG following its takeover of bmi.
The airline, which is calling on the European Commission to auction all 12 slots as one complete package, told the Daily Telegraph it would launch domestic flights next summer if it was successful in winning the slots.
Virgin currently holds just 3% of Heathrow's slots, while IAG will hold 51% after the bmi deal completed on April 20.
The auction process is expected to begin in several weeks and Aer Lingus is likely to be among those bidding against Virgin.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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