Carrier Aimed At US Domestic Market

Virgin USA says it's picked Frederick W. Reid to lead the formation of a Virgin branded future US domestic low fare airline, scheduled to launch first quarter 2005. In that role Reid will oversee all operational and executive facets of the airline, including its upcoming certification process. Reid joins from Delta Air Lines where he was President and Chief Operating Officer.

Between 1976 and 1991, Reid held various management positions at Pan American World Airways and American Airlines. He then served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa German Airlines where he was the first American national to lead a major non-US airline. Reid joined Delta in 1998 as Chief Marketing Officer, responsible for Delta's consumer marketing, network planning, route development and worldwide sales and distribution. During his tenure, he directed the acquisition of regional carriers, rebuilt the revenue management system, redesigned the network to improve efficiencies and growth opportunities and re-launched the brand with a new aircraft livery, logo design and global advertising campaign.

"Fred will best position the airline to succeed in a competitive but poorly served market," says Frances Farrow, CEO of Virgin USA, Virgin Group's business development arm, "his extensive industry experience and passion to better serve the customer are a strong complement to Virgin's fresh approach to the airline industry."

Virgin is one of the most recognized and respected global brands and is involved in a number of distinct business areas including travel, transportation, retail, media, mobile phones and financial services. What unites Virgin companies is the common goal to offer something better, fresher and more valuable to the consumer under a single brand.

FMI: www.virginusa.com