July 14, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA LAUNCHES ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM

14 July 2006, Lagos, Nigeria: Virgin Nigeria, Nigeria's private sector flag carrier, which recently marked the first year anniversary of its commercial flight operations in Nigeria, has gone a step further to offer superior service to its increasing base of customers with the launch of its online payment system.

The first of its kind in Nigeria, the online payment system, offers customers in Nigeria the convenience of booking and paying for their flight tickets from the comfort of their home or offices through payment with an interswitch debit card.

Describing how the system works, Virgin Nigeria's Director, Marketing and Corporate Development, Dr. Yemi Osindero, "All our customers have to do is to log on to the Virgin Nigeria website, choose their travel and return dates and destination, click the option 'pay now' and then enter the debit card number and pin number. Once payment has been confirmed, the customer will be directed to a page saying the payment has been successful. The customer will receive an e-ticket receipt via email, which can be used to check-in for travel at the designated airport for their flight."

Speaking further on why the online payment system was introduced, Yemi Osindero said, "We realised that as Nigeria's flag carrier, we should be at the fore-front, offering superior flight solutions to Nigeria's flying public, and this is what we have done with the online payment system."

He added, "While some other airlines accept credit cards only for international routes, we are the first to offer an online payment system that serves both local and international routes."

With the introduction of the online payment, Virgin Nigeria has taken another step towards consolidating its position as the Nigeria's national flag carrier. Such an innovation can not be beaten but only emulated by other airlines.

Virgin Nigeria is the registered, fully private sector flag carrier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with 51% ownership by Nigerian Institutional shareholders and 49% by Virgin Atlantic. The airline offers the widest network on its local routes and an increasing number of destinations on its international routes.

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.