Branson may buy back airline

Atlanta News.Net
Sunday 12th August, 2007

If the Virgin Group manages to buy out its Singapore partner in the airline, Richard Branson will not rule out a stock market listing.

Asked if he would list the airline in a public share offering in that case, he said: 'Not for the moment, but you never know what might happen in the future.'

Virgin Group may buy back the 49 per cent stake held in Virgin Atlantic by Singapore Airlines, which is disappointed with the eight-year-old investment.

Last week, Branson said that Virgin Group had a right of first refusal over the stake, bought by Singapore Airlines for US$1.21 billion in 1999.

The group would then be left with 100 per cent of Virgin Atlantic, a position it does not normally favour.

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