01 March 07

VIRGIN NIGERIA INCREASE FREQUENCY ON SOKOTO ROUTE TO 3 TIMES A WEEK...Felicitates with Sultan of Sokoto

Lagos, Nigeria: 01 March 2007: Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited announces that beginning from 4 March 2007, her frequency on Abuja – Sokoto and Lagos – Sokoto will be increased to three times a week. The additional frequency is to offer a convenient and more regular means of transportation to the people of Sokoto and other neighbouring states. Virgin Nigeria is the only airline that currently flies to Sokoto State.

Also in commemoration of the new Sultan's Coronation scheduled for Saturday, 3 March 2007, Virgin Nigeria has concluded plans to offer an additional special flight outside the normal schedule from Lagos to Sokoto via Abuja to provide a seamless and convenient travel option for all well-wishers and visitors alike wishing to grace the coronation ceremony.

The special flight for the coronation of the Sultan will depart Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos for Sokoto airport via Abuja at 7:00am on Saturday, 3 March 2007 and depart Sokoto for Lagos via Abuja at 11:00am while the normal flight will be operated on Sunday to cater for returning passengers.

Speaking on the Sultan's Coronation and the special flight offering, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Conrad Clifford said: "Virgin Nigeria heartily congratulates the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III on the occasion of presentation of staff of office to him by the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa".

Speaking further, Conrad said: "Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar ascension to the throne has brought about a positive change as evident in his leadership style during the just concluded hajj operations that for the first time recorded a huge success", stressing that Virgin Nigeria wishes him a peaceful and successful tenure.

The increase from two to three scheduled flights a week is in line with Virgin Nigeria's decision to continually give support to Sokoto State and also in meeting customers' demands on the route.

Virgin Nigeria commenced flight operations to Sokoto State on December 1, 2006 with regular twice weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays from Lagos to Sokoto via Abuja in both directions. The additional flight will now be operated on Wednesdays from Lagos at 7:45am to Sokoto via Abuja and 11:55am from Sokoto to Lagos via Abuja.

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
 

Regional services:
Accra: Eleven times a week
Douala: Two times a week
Dakar: Two times a week

Domestic services:
Lagos - Abuja: Eight times daily
***Lagos - Port Harcourt: (Now diverted to Owerri two times daily)
Lagos - Kano: Six times a week
Abuja - Kano: Six times a week
Lagos - Sokoto (via Abuja): Three times a week
Abuja - Sokoto: Three times a week
Lagos- Calabar: Six 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.