VIRGIN Atlantic is planning to launch daily direct services
between Heathrow and the Nigerian city of Lagos by the end of the summer.
The British and Nigerian Governments met earlier this month
and agreed to allow two airlines from each country to operate the route. They
also agreed to an increase in frequencies of up to 14 per week. Virgin chairman
Sir Richard Branson plans to operate a Boeing 747 aircraft to Lagos, which is
currently served by British Airways from Gatwick.
Virgin Atlantic has also signed a contract for six Airbus A380,
with the first aircraft due for delivery in 2006.