August 09, 2006

MACKENZIE APPOINTED VIRGIN NIGERIA'S DIRECTOR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS

Lagos, 09 August 2006: Nigeria: Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited, the private sector flag carrier has announced the appointment of Tony Mackenzie as Director of Flight Operations (DFO).

Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Nigeria, Mr. Conrad Clifford who made the announcement in Lagos said the assumption of duty by Tony Mackenzie is part of the desire of the airline to fill the vacancy that existed following the creation of three new directorates to boost the airline's sound and effective management structure, service offering and desire to becoming a leading global airline based in Nigeria.

Speaking on the appointment, Clifford said: "Mackenzie is bringing a wealth of experience to Virgin Nigeria having managed flight operations for several years in the aviation sector, especially as a Flight Operations Inspector, Aeroplanes FOI(A) with responsibility for auditing airlines, interviewing and advising accountable managers and Directors of Flight Operations on JAR-OPS 1 compliance".

"We are consistently reviewing our operations with a view to upgrading our standards in the industry and we can only achieve this by going for highly qualified personnel to occupy and manage our operations in line with global best practices." said Conrad.

Prior to Tony Mackenzie joining Virgin Nigeria as the Director of Flight Operations, he was with UK Civil Aviation Authority as Flight Operations Inspector FOI (A) responsible for managing operators' flight safety oversight standards and compliance with JAR-OPS 1. He was also charged with leading audit teams, issuing of AOCs and advising airline management on safety management oversight best practice.

Mackenzie is a seasoned aviation expert, with over 31 years' experience in aircraft operations and has functioned in different capacities ranging from policy formulations on prevention of runway incursions to contract negotiations while at Standard Chartered Bank.

Tony Mackenzie holds an MSc in Air Transport Management from City University London and he holds United Kingdom and United States of America Airline Transport Pilot's licences with 6500 plus flying hours. He has world wide flying experience as Captain on heavy jets and previously served as a pilot in the United Kingdom Royal Air Force.

Tony Mackenzie is happily married with two children and his interests are running, reading, golfing and gardening.

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.