Virgin Sun short haul product goes as rival grabs slots

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.