May 15, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA RESTRUCTURES, APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SERVICES

Lagos, Nigeria, May 15, 2006: Virgin Nigeria, the country's private sector flag carrier, in continuing pursuit of excellence, has announced a major restructuring and appointment of new personnel to take the airline to the next level.

Under the new structure, three new units have been carved out of the office of the Chief Operating Officer, each to be headed by a Director who in turn will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

The new structure will now consist of a Director of Customer Services, a Director of Flight Operations and a Director of Engineering Services. Mr Yves Guibert has been appointed Director of Customer Services with responsibility for Ground and In-flight services. Other appointments will be made in the near future.

Announcing the new structure in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Nigeria, Mr. Conrad Clifford said: "As a forward looking organisation, Virgin Nigeria is constantly in search of excellence and this new, flatter structure will boost the airline's strength in becoming a leading global airline based in Nigeria".

Meanwhile, the pioneer Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Steve Clarke, is leaving voluntarily to pursue a change in career direction. Mr. Clarke with over 37 years experience in the aviation industry started his career as an Apprentice Engineer with Rolls-Royce before moving to British Airways and rising to middle and senior management levels. Before joining Virgin Nigeria, he held the post of C.E.O Royce Consulting Limited. Aviation & Management Consultants, Technical Director Kenya Airways Limited and CEO Kenya Flamingo Airways (a subsidiary of Kenya Airways). Mr. Clarke will be remembered for his untiring commitment to operational excellence, especially in the areas of safety and security and for strategically positioning the start-up airline.

Commenting on his time at Virgin Nigeria, Mr. Clarke said: "I am honoured to have been part of building an airline that has, in its short time in operation, become a force to be reckoned with in the aviation industry. I wish the airline, and its entire staff, well for the future."

It will be recalled that Virgin Nigeria recently restructured the Marketing department to two units by appointing Dr. Yemi Osindero as Director, Marketing & Corporate Development and Mr. Mike Higgins as Director, Sales and Outstations.

About Virgin Nigeria:
Virgin Nigeria is the registered, fully private sector flag carrier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, owned 51% by Nigerian Institutional shareholders and 49% by Virgin Atlantic.

The airline operates the following

intercontinental services:
Lagos to London: Daily
Johannesburg: Three times a week
Dubai: Three times a week

Regional services:
Accra: Daily
Douala: Two times a week
Dakar: Two times a week

Domestic services:
Lagos - Abuja: Six times daily
***Lagos - Port Harcourt: Four times daily now temporarily cancelled
***Abuja - Port Harcourt: Once daily now temporarily cancelled
Lagos - Kano: Five times a week
Abuja - Kano: Five times a week

For reservations, call (01) 460 0505; (01) 271 1111; (09) 461 0505; (084) 460505

For all press enquiries, please contact: corporatecommunications@virginnigeria.com

For media information in Nigeria only, please contact Corporate Communications, 3rd floor, Ark towers, Plot 17 Ligali Ayorinde Street, VI, or corpcomm@virginnigeria.com; 234 -1 – 2711144

For media information in the UK please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747 373.