Branson calls for UK Government bailout to save Virgin airlines

Sir Richard Branson has called for Government assistance to save his Virgin airlines, while warning of the repercussions should Virgin Australia collapse.Sir Richard Branson says Virgin Australia is fighting to survive, and its demise would give Qantas"a monopoly of the Australian skies"Sir Richard refuted claims he should be providing more of his own finance to Virgin airlines saying his wealth"is not sitting as cash in a bank account:with requests for a $1.

In an open letter to Virgin employees, Sir Richard said Virgin Atlantic"will need government support" to keep the airline going"in the face of the severe uncertainty surrounding travel today and not knowing how long the planes will be grounded for"."We are hopeful that Virgin Australia can emerge stronger than ever, as a more sustainable, financially viable airline," he said."We all know what that would lead to.

The same bloke who sued the NHS... Good luck bud.. you are a disgrace.

richardbranson rather than flying people into space VirginGalactic or hyperloopdown the AUS east coast, refocus to enabling travellers that enjoy flying with VirginAustralia to fly around the world. Just my 2 cents...not $1.4B 😉

richardbranson You want the UK & Australia to bail Virgin out? You pay no tax anywhere! You coerced shareholders to invest in Virgin Galactic (purely for research $$) then you start a WHOLLY OWNED company VIRGIN ORBIT which receives all the profits! ProfitsOverPeople Corrupt

Virgin airlines need support, but whilst they are mostly foreign owne, you cannot expect large government bailouts. Perhaps governments should become part owners during this crisis and then on-sell their shares after.

Seriously thelizhayes

Bailout for government/public equity holding in the airline perhaps. We want some value for the spend. No free handouts here.

Guessing but like in Australia, Virgin pay hardly any tax in any country they operate, and transfer Billions to tax havens around the world. Yous are on your own UK more than likely will reply. Plenty of developing countries out there to fill the gap.

You had a good run Richard bow out gracefully

If Branson is worth 4.7 billion pounds, why does he need 500 million from taxpayers. Is this How the wealthy become wealthier? Sell something you tightarse

How much does this person have in personal wealth, cash hidden in offshore accounts, and assets, the donations to charities and other taxable offsets. It is sad where this Airline may not be able to operate, but he and the other investors, need to be the ones that pay.

Isn't he a billionaire, Virgin pays him 46 million a year just for naming rights. Surely the SOCIALIST ABC would want the Billionaire to come to the rescue of the working class staff

You take the profits then take the losses too - that's business

Branson purchased Tiger Airlines for $1. The problem is they lease all their planes & the fat cats at the top earn a motza. They DO NOT PAY TAX in Australia yet have revenue of $5.52bn. Owned by multinationals! DontBelieveAllYouRead BailoutBlackmail BransonBenefits

He owns only 10 % of airline, rest is own by others with deep pockets

maybe he could sell his private island

Unlike a lot of business around the world a lot of charities will suffer, should be a fixed rate of 10% to all on tax

Sell your island

BBC News - Coronavirus: Virgin Atlantic will fold without aid, warns Branson

Sounds weird

Bail it out yourself Richard

This MAN has no SHAME at all, he has 5 billion USD worth of wealth and has the audacity to ask the public to 'save' him. First class beggar born! What a disgrace? Yuck....👎

Does Virgin airlines pay little tax similiar to in Australia?

This is a man who refuses to pay taxes in the UK.

Maybe the business model of flying millions of people around the world jammed together into flying cattle trucks has run its course? Mass international travel was the vector that spread the virus around the world.

He can first start the bailout using the bulk of his wealth and ONLY then use a miniscule fraction of public money to 'save' his precious airlines. That's how all other businesses work...why airlines needs special financial service by the government 🖕🖕 .

FuckOffIdiot

Virgin barely pays taxes in Australia. I hope our govt doesn't bail them out

He's being exposed as nothing but a common office manager.

He should give his last dollar to save the jobs of Virgin employees. Or we should eat him or confiscate his assets and nationalize virgin Australia. I like tubular bells though.

Fuck Branson he's the Bell End that sued the NHS because he lost a contract.

richardbranson how’s that island bunker treating you and your billions?

Did he sell his private island? Can't help billionaires if they won't help themselves

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NSW government flags conditional Virgin bailout | Sky News AustraliaThe New South Wales treasurer has flagged the possibility the state government may offer Virgin Australia financial support if it moves its headquarters to the state.\n\nDominic Perrottet confirmed to Sky News he had been in discussions with the cash-strapped airline over its future and would like to see them become a tenant at the new Western Sydney Airport when it opens.\n\nThe Queensland government already offered $200 million - on several conditions - including it keeps its headquarters in Brisbane.\n\nBut the offer comes well short of the $1.4 billion the airline has sought out to survive the coronavirus crisis.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia\n\n Before the Corona Virus Virgin Airlines $Billion in turnover & payed NO corporate Tax in Aust Now Aust tax payers R asked to subsidise Virgin? And Qantas supports Labor zero emissions by 2050 Hmm that would shut down flights, Will Today U get a taste of zero emissions Qantas No bailouts let it go into liquidation it was failing before the virus hoax
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

NSW government negotiates with Virgin to relocate HQ to Sydney: Treasurer | Sky News AustraliaSky News host Sharri Markson has revealed NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is in negotiations with Virgin Australia regarding “financial support” but the airline would “have to have the HQ of both Virgin and Tiger at the Western Sydney Airport site”.\n\nMr Perrottet told Sky News exclusively he has raised the possibility of Virgin moving its headquarters to the new aerotropolis facility at the new airport and it is “obviously part of the discussions we are having at the moment” regarding a potential bailout.\n\nThe Queensland Government have announced it would hand the airline $200 million in a bid to boost and maintain competition in Australia’s airline industry.\n\n“Virgin should have their headquarters for both Virgin and Tiger in Sydney,” Mr Perrottet said.\n\n“I’m always open for businesses right across the country to relocate to New South Wales and create jobs here in our state”.\n\nImage: Getty If the NSW government wants to commit treason like the Queensland government then they should go ahead. Nothing like bailing out foreign owned corporations in exchange for business deals while your constituents lose their livelihoods. If the NSW Government has hundreds of millions dollars spare to bale out a foreign airline why cant they feed and house thousands of people who are homeless in NSW. Dominic Perrottet in negotiations or Alan Joyce....are we going to have Virgin terminals at Mascot or are the poor people being encouraged to slog it to western Sydney on a bus
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Labor calls on Morrison Govt to save thousands of Virgin jobs | Sky News AustraliaBill Shorten is calling upon the Morrison Government to ensure 'Virgin doesn't fall over'. \n\nMr Shorten said hundreds of families of Virgin workers are facing significant financial crises if the airline collapses. \n\nThe former opposition leader said Australia is facing the reality of becoming a one-airline nation. \n\n'If Virgin collapses a lifeline to the regions will be cut,' he said. \n\n“You’d have to believe in unicorns if you think that one large airline won’t see airfares go up,” he said. \n\nImage: News Corp Australia billshortenmp Labor have really lost their way when they want taxpayers to bail out overseas investors who pay zero tax. billshortenmp GovernmentIsTheVirus billshortenmp What about the rest of the businesses Bill. Nobody seems to give a damn. You have to be a big multi national to get any help. The whole country is going to be ruined. It is time to open up Australia
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Virgin Australia set for voluntary administrationSeveral private equity firms are already sniffing around looking to potentially buy Virgin Australia out of administration, which will see some of its debts wiped and aircraft leases renegotiated Barbarians at the Gate! Be great if we could all have our debts wiped Poorly managed airline. On the other hand buy QAN shares
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

'We will bring a bazooka': States in a bidding war for Virgin HQQueensland has vowed to 'stop at nothing' to keep Virgin's headquarters in Brisbane and has warned the NSW government to 'back right off'. Spellbinding! 😅 pathetic to see the premiers in a dog fight Yep but make them pay tax in Australia and dump the tax havens.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Queensland hits back at NSW Virgin bid: 'Back right off'Virgin Australia is in talks with the NSW government about a possible financial lifeline, but only if the cash-strapped airline moves its national headquarters to Western Sydney. 9News Virgin playing NSW against QLD Virgin “Australia” are a FOREIGN owned airline with wealthy owners. Virgin “Australia” pay zero tax in Australia. Do not use Australian tax payer dollars to bailout Virgin!!!
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »