Virgin is expected to announce it is ordering 12 A350-1000 to replace part of its B747-400 fleet. Negotiations have been ongoing with engine manufacturer Rolls Royce (see Rupert Steiner in Rolls Royce ready to land £700m engine deal as Virgin Atlantic look set to sign £2.8bn order with Airbus for 12 new planes. The aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2019.
Quoted in Reuters last week, Airbus sees A350 orders soon, sources eye Virgin A350-1000 deal, a spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic said,
"We are currently evaluating our future fleet requirements to ensure
that any new aircraft we introduce will provide the best possible
outcome for our customers and our business. We have not yet confirmed
our decision but we will provide an update as soon as we can."
Sources within the airline now suggest that the announcement is imminent.
Tom Otley
SOURCE: BUSINESS TRAVELLER
