Middle Eastern airline Etihad has made it known it is
interested in acquiring a large chunk of Virgin Atlantic, it was
revealed this weekend.
Sir Richard Branson appointed Deutsche Bank last year to carry
out a strategic review of his airline's future and consider
alliances with other airlines.
And Etihad, which is backed by the Abu Dhabi royal family, has
revealed that it has approached the bank via a letter from its
chief executive James Hogan.
Branson has suggested that he may wish to sell his 51% stake
in Virgin Atlantic should the right bidder come along.
Neither Etihad nor Virgin Atlantic would comment on the news,
the former saying only that it regularly spoke with other airlines
about future business opportunities.
