Quote Originally Posted by Oracle View Post
With the “ lefty” remark, I was pointing out that lefties say they would collapse virgin, for no better reason than dislike of Branson. The eight thousand employees and billions in salaries and taxes are of no consequence to any of them. They have no idea where the money comes from that pays the NHS.

But even for righties , there is the valid question of the greater good served by keeping employers and airlines going. Most lose money so loans and deferral are not the answer. Emergency legislation limiting refunds to 25 percent could help.

Do people understand how airlines work? 20- 25 percent is fuel. And because customers hate fuel surcharges, they buy fuel futures many months ahead, since they can’t take delivery they have to buy their way out of the contracts at close to zero price in a crashing oil market. The money has gone.
Hundreds of millions for many airlines. So forward ticket vouchers are not an answer. They need grants and debt relief not loans.
I tend to defer to the expert advise of Mr Branson.

In 2009 when British Airways faced some issues having posted a £400m loss, he urged the Government not to offer them a bailout, saying the airline was not worth much anymore and that Virgin and others were standing by to take over their routes, slots and recruit their staff.