Branson in £1bn boost for UK air industry

The UK aerospace industry received a huge boost today as Sir Richard Branson’s airline Virgin Atlantic confirmed it would be ordering £1.35bn (€2.2bn) worth of new aircraft.

Virgin is taking 10 Airbus A340-600s, whose wings are made by UK company BAE Systems and which will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines.

‘‘The order represents an endorsement of Airbus and Rolls-Royce who have produced a phenomenal new aircraft,’’ said Sir Richard, the Virgin chairman.

Virgin is the launch customer for the new 319-seat long-haul aircraft and the first of the planes will enter service with the company in June.

Three more will be delivered by October and a further six will enter service by 2006. Virgin will fly the new four-engined planes on American West Coast routes and to the Far East.

‘‘We are particularly pleased that Virgin has selected the A340-600,’’ said Airbus chief commercial officer John Leahy.

John Cheffins, Rolls-Royce chief operating officer, added: ‘‘We are delighted to have this opportunity to launch the Trent 500 engine into service with Virgin Atlantic.’’

The new planes, which have a range of more than 7,000 miles, will replace Virgin’s current A340-300 fleet.