Virgin Atlantic to offer Manchester-London Heathrow service with Airbus A319s starting on March 31

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd (London) has announced plans to fly from London Heathrow to Manchester Airport from March 2013 – providing competition to British Airways’ short haul service. The new route is the airline’s first foray into domestic flying; signaling the start of a new network which will provide regional feed to its long haul service as well as providing choice for important point to point passengers.

Sir Richard Branson’s airline is going to apply for all of the remedy slots being awarded by the European Commission following the IAG takeover of bmi, but is using some of its existing slots to service the Manchester to London route. The airline believes competition on this route has been neglected in the remedy process and aims to provide choice for the 650,000 passengers* who travel between the two cities.

The airline will operate three daily flights to Manchester using Airbus A319 aircraft from March 31, 2013.

The A319 will be a new type for Virgin Atlantic.

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