June 01, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA COMMENCES DIRECT FLIGHT OPERATIONS TO DUBAI...Connects passengers to Asia

1 June 2006, LAGOS, Nigeria: In line with its expansion plans, Virgin Nigeria, the country's private sector flag carrier begins direct flights to the Middle East with the commencement of direct flight operations to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday, June 2.

The flight service, which is the airline's third international long haul route after London Gatwick and Johannesburg, will begin on Friday, June 2 with a direct flight leaving Lagos at 22.30 and arriving at Dubai International Airport at 09.20 the following morning.

Announcing this in Lagos, Mr. Larry Agose, Head, Corporate Communications of Virgin Nigeria said: "Virgin Nigeria is delighted to announce the commencement of flight operations to Dubai, a city well known as a business and leisure destination and an important gateway to Asia. The Dubai route will provide Virgin Nigeria an opportunity to offer its customers seamless transit travel options by connecting them on Cathay Pacific Airways to their final destinations in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, among others".

According to Larry Agose, "Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited and Cathay Pacific have a commercial arrangement that enables both airlines to sell tickets beyond points operated by them to their passengers to take advantage of the airlines growing network".

"With a single Virgin Nigeria ticket, passengers travelling to Asian countries via Dubai and Johannesburg now have a seamless connection, especially as they do not need Dubai transit visas on this special connectivity to Asia".

Also commenting on the launch, Dr. Yemi Osindero, Director, Marketing & Corporate Development said: "Apart from the direct flight to Dubai and offering competitive prices, Virgin Nigeria will be offering on the Dubai route special packages which include an extra 10 kilogram baggage allowance above the standard baggage allowance for its passengers who check in three hours earlier than the usual time of 09.20 hours in Dubai. In addition, passengers could also pay in advance for their excess luggage in advance in Nigeria and just check-in in Dubai".

The Dubai launch comes on the heels of the airline's recent commencement of direct domestic flights from Lagos to Kano; from Abuja to Port-Harcourt as well as the launch of regional operations to Dakar, Senegal.

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.