Virgin Atlantic has reported pre-tax profits of £18.5 million year to March. Revenues were up by 13% to £2.7bn. This was boosted by a strong last quarter in the three months to the end of May where the airline’s revenue rose by 7.6% to £658 million. Last year the airline posted a loss of £132million as it was impacted by the recession, volcanic ash, and adverse weather conditions.
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway said. "We have demonstrated the resilience of our business by weathering the toughest economic period for aviation and have now returned the business to profit.” But Ridgway warned of tougher trading conditions ahead due to the worsening economic outlook and the challenging trading environment.
Virgin Atlantic recently introduced two new Airbus A330s and launched a new route from Manchester to Las Vegas. The airline also has plans to buy more A330 aircraft to serve new services to the Caribbean and Ghana.
Now the airline has also reached a pay deal with its pilots and averted a strike, Virgin Atlantic is recruiting both cabin crews and pilot.