August 19, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA NOW OPERATES PORT HARCOURT FLIGHTS TO SAM MBAKWE AIRPORT, OWERRI

Lagos: 19 August 2006: Virgin Nigeria today announces the diversion of all Port Harcourt bound flights to the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri. The diversion measure is in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to shut down the Port Harcourt International Airport to pave way for the complete resurfacing of the runway and expansion of the apron.

Announcing the diversions of all Port Harcourt bound flights to Owerri which will be used as an alternative airport to operate the service, Director, Marketing & Corporate Development, Dr. Yemi Osindero said: "the choice of Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri as an alternative airport is based on its proximity in distance to Port Harcourt and its capacity to accommodate a Boeing 737 which Virgin Nigeria uses for her domestic operations".

"Full flight operations into and out of Owerri started today, Saturday August 19 with the airline operating two daily flights on the Lagos – Owerri route while it will operate a daily flight on the Abuja - Owerri route", Osindero further said.

Osindero further assured passengers of the airline's commitment to resume full flight operations to Port Harcourt once the airport is reopened.

It will be recalled that The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on Friday 18 August, 2006 temporarily closed down the Port Harcourt International Airport to traffic to allow full commencement of rehabilitation work on the airport runway and the apron.

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: Two times daily now diverted to Owerri
***Abuja - Port Harcourt: Once daily now diverted to Owerri
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.