In an AP (Associated Press) Release today, Virgin’s Richard Branson is still on the war path against the IAG (parent company of British Airways and Iberia) acquisition of BMI from The Lufthansa Group. I’m starting to sense all that Branson is doing is crying foul too little too late for something that its out of his control at this point. I don’t like the deal anymore than he does (After all I did enjoy BMI’s Diamond Club and their outstanding benefits). Branson and Virgin had ample opportunity to step up buy the airline from DLH when it had the chance. Now that the deal has been approved, and logistics are being sorted through, it’s not going to help anyone to have Virgin continuously cry foul and present an argument that they were somehow victimized or discriminated against. It may be time for all parties involved to move on.
The AP Story:
LONDON – Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson says he will challenge a European regulator’s decision to approve the takeover of airline BMI by the owner of British Airways and Iberia.
Branson says the deal would put BA’s owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), in a position of “total market dominance.”
Branson said Sunday that Virgin would “challenge every aspect of this process which, if allowed to stand, will undoubtedly damage the British airline industry for years to come.”Last month the European Commission approved the acquisition of British Midlands Ltd. by IAG.
The approval is conditional on IAG giving up 14 daily takeoff and landing slots at London’s Heathrow airport to boost competition.
Branson called the condition “completely inadequate.”
