Virgin set to double with £3bn jets

VIRGIN Atlantic has signalled aggressive plans to double the size of the airline over the next five years with an order for £3bn-worth of 300-seater jetliners.

Virgin said it had signed a firm agreement with European manufacturer Airbus to take 13 new A340-600s, the longest aircraft in the world, with an option to take 13 more.

'This is the biggest aircraft order in Virgin Atlantic's history,' said chairman Sir Richard Branson.

Along with existing A340s on order and the six mega-jumbo 555-seater A380s which have also been ordered from Airbus, Virgin is expecting to take delivery of 24 new aircraft to add to its current 29.

Over the next five years Virgin expects to add 5000 staff to the 7500 employed and aims to add a host of new destinations.

The order represents a significant success for Airbus as Virgin had also been negotiating with Boeing to buy the US giant's 777s.

However, with cut-throat competition between the two manufacturers it seems likely Branson won substantial discounts on the list price of the Rolls-Royce-powered A340s which have a price tag of £115m.