July 20, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS ON ACCRA ROUTE

Lagos, 20 July 2006: Virgin Nigeria, Nigeria's fully private sector flag carrier, today clocked one year of flying the Lagos – Accra route.

Virgin Nigeria commenced flight operations from the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos to Kotoka International Airport, Accra Ghana on July 20, 2005, with an introductory fare of $99. The Accra route was the first regional route to be introduced by the airline after its inaugural flight to London Gatwick on June 28, 2005 and introduction of Abuja and Port Harcourt domestic routes the following day.

Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Larry Agose, said: "In the last one year, Virgin Nigeria has opened up a number of domestic, regional and international routes to bring convenience to the flying public, thereby promoting tourism and trade in Nigeria and the sub-region"

Agose reiterated that the basis of the Virgin Nigeria's regional operations is aimed at fostering the spirit of brotherhood and the socio-cultural and economic ties in Africa, especially as encapsulated by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

Other regional routes serviced by Virgin Nigeria are Dakar and Douala while it operates daily direct international flights to London Gatwick and thrice weekly services to Johannesburg and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Plans are afoot by Virgin Nigeria to roll out more domestic, regional and 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.