October 09, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA COMMENCES AIRLIFT OF UMRAH PILGRIMS…. As inaugural flight takes to the skies

Lagos: October 9, 2006: Virgin Nigeria's inaugural flight conveying the first set of pilgrims booked on the airline's service to this year's Umrah took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja today en-route Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where the pilgrims are to perform their religious obligations.

The Virgin Nigeria aircraft, a modern Boeing 767-300 leased from Europe left the airport at 13:05 with 164 passengers.

The airlift of pilgrims by Virgin Nigeria to the holy land comes on the heels of Saudi Authorities granting the airline landing rights to operate into the Jeddah airport.

Commenting on the inaugural flight by Virgin Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Conrad Clifford said: "securing the landing right to operate our own flight schedule to Jeddah is a testimony to our firm resolve to airlift our valued customers who have placed their trust in us to the holy land to perform their religious obligations. We are happy to be given this opportunity to serve".

Mr. Conrad Clifford further thanked the Saudi authorities for the eventual approval of Virgin Nigeria's flight slots for the Umrah

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.