FIRST Choice has discarded the bulk of Virgin Sun’s product
range after acquiring the troubled operator in a deal worth up to £5.9 million.
The acquisition–which will see the Virgin brand disappear
from the short-haul market–follows months of speculation over its future after
Virgin decided not to launch a winter 2001/2 programme.
First Choice chief executive Peter Long admitted Virgin Sun’s
valuable slots at Gatwick and Manchester were the key reasons behind the deal.