Virgin Atlantic says to create 450 jobs

LONDON: British airline Virgin Atlantic announced Friday the creation of 450 jobs, including 50 new pilots, as the aviation industry steps up its recovery.

Virgin said the spring launch of a new route between Manchester, northwest England, and Las Vegas, extra London departures to the Caribbean and Ghana and a new fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft would also create 350 cabin crew roles.

Virgin, 51-per cent owned by British tycoon Richard Branson and 49-per cent by Singapore Airlines, said the remaining 50 positions would be for airport and head office roles.

"We have enjoyed a good year of recovery and can now look forward to expanding our network and welcoming a new fleet of aircraft," Virgin Atlantic's director of operations, safety and security, Corneel Koster, said in a company statement.