Branson considers Virgin Atlantic flotation

Richard Branson’s airline Virgin Atlantic could be heading for a stock market flotation, it emerged today.

British entrepreneur Branson is looking at listing the airline and flagship brand in the Virgin empire amid reports suggesting major Virgin Atlantic shareholder Singapore Airlines may sell its 49% stake.

The Virgin boss is mooting the possibility of buying-out Singapore Airlines and lining the group up for a stock market debut.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “Richard Branson has said that he will look at buying the 49% stake should Singapore Airlines sell it.

“One option is for him to then float the whole company on the stock market, but it’s one of several options.”

The business tycoon is widely thought to prefer to keep the airline private and other options believed to be on the table include a sale of Singapore Airline’s stake to private equity.

Singapore Airlines was last week rumoured to have approached a number of investment banks regarding options for its holding.