September 20, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA APOLOGISES TO HER CUSTOMERS FOR LAST WEEK'S FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS

Lagos: 20 September 2006: Virgin Nigeria's flight operations were last week severely affected by the recent strike action embarked upon by oil workers in the country as the airline had to delay, cancel and or reschedule some of her flights, especially those on the long haul.

On the domestic routes, flights were re-routed to alternative airports where fuel could be sourced. The industrial action by the oil workers according to the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Conrad Clifford which was completely out of our control virtually crippled all our flight operations, causing untold hardships to passengers as flights were either delayed for hours or cancelled outright.

Speaking on the effect of the industrial action on Virgin Nigeria's flight operations, Clifford said: "Virgin Nigeria had to make a number of sacrifices within this period, sourcing Jet-A1 from alternative domestic airports and in the regions as well as arranging hotel accommodation for stranded passengers. In addition to this, we gave 50 per cent discounts on tickets to all affected passengers for their next flights"

"While the industrial action persisted, we had to rely on Abuja (where we actually exhausted the available stock), Kano and Lome as alternative refuelling locations. These three locations were a poor substitute for Accra, Ghana which is our usual standby refuelling station but which very unfortunately had contaminated fuel during this critical period.

Available statistics show that between Wednesday September 13 and Monday September 18, out of a total of 150 flights scheduled, Virgin Nigeria suffered a total of 14 or 9% cancelled flights, 112 or 75% delayed flights and 8 diverted flights on both the short haul and long haul routes.

Virgin Nigeria is the biggest operating airline in Nigeria with 30 daily flights on the domestic, regional and long haul routes. The aviation fuel scarcity therefore had a disproportionate negative effect on the airline.

During this period, Virgin Nigeria took the decision to specially airlift Enyimba FC players to South Africa, using a B737 which ordinarily is not meant for long haul operations. The Enyimba FC team was airlifted to South Africa for their CAF league match in Johannesburg, and refuelling in Douala, Cameroon to ensure the players met their match obligation, in line with CAF regulations. The aircraft flew back empty.

Virgin Nigeria sincerely apologises to her esteemed customers who have had to be displaced and disappointed as a result of this development. It is our sincere hope that the persistent aviation fuel shortage will be restored to normal as soon as possible to enable us resume our full and uninterrupted service to all Nigerians".

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: (Now diverted to Owerri two times daily)
***Abuja - Port Harcourt: (Now diverted to Owerri once daily)
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.