Richard Branson circles rival BA's bones

[Slats7]

Richard Branson circles rival BA's bones | The Australian

RICHARD Branson has rubbed salt in British Airways' wounds by declaring the airline practically worthless and urging the government to resist any attempts to bail it out.

 

[Nigelinoz]

I can't say that I'm surprised by this turn of events,it was only a matter of time before RB stuck his nose in (and some may say his foot in his mouth).
I can't think of a single airline anywhere in the world that isn't suffering from the effects of the recession and perhaps he (RB) would do well to concentrate his efforts on ensuring his own companies are strong enough to survive for the next few years.
I don't mind admitting that I like Branson's business style and I respect his business acumen but these comments annoy me,IMHO he should keep out of it and let BA,the unions,and if necessary the UK government sort it out.
I think Australian aviation would be worse off without Virgin Blue and V Australia and I also reckon aviation would be worse off without BA,and for Branson to circle overhead like a hawk looking for a dead rabbit is most unsavory.

 

[NM]

I can't think of a single airline anywhere in the world that isn't suffering from the effects of the recession and perhaps he (RB) would do well to concentrate his efforts on ensuring his own companies are strong enough to survive for the next few years.

I think is precisely what he is doing. Every kick he places into the injured BA is a media promotion for his own airline interests.

 

[Slats7]

I think is precisely what he is doing. Every kick he places into the injured BA is a media promotion for his own airline interests.

He's very smart.

 

[Nigelinoz]

I think is precisely what he is doing. Every kick he places into the injured BA is a media promotion for his own airline interests.

Very good point NM,I hadn't looked at it that way.

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

And a 'practically worthless' company is well-priced for takeover.

 

[docjames]

1. SRB is the master of publicity. Not necessarily business, although sometimes those do align well. He knows how to get in the papers.

2. Which UK based long-haul airline would be the major beneficiary if BA collapsed (or even had to relinquish some routes)?

 

[moa999]

only a month after he crowed that the BA/AA tie up would destroy the other airline

 

[codash1099]

only a month after he crowed that the BA/AA tie up would destroy the other airline

Matbe he's worried that BA aren't really going broke at all and that it's all just a ploy to get the regulators to look favourably on the tie-up with AA. :mrgreen:

 

[Nigelinoz]

And a 'practically worthless' company is well-priced for takeover.

RB has ruled out a takeover bid.
Branson rules out bid for BA-22 June, 2009

Branson rules out bid for BA
Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson has ruled out bailing out troubled British Airways.
He distanced himself from media speculation that his airline would attempt to save its loss-making rival if it feel into further difficulty.

Sir Richard was quoted by the BBC as he prepared to mark the 25th anniversary of Virgin Atlantic by retracing the carrier’s first flight from London to New York (Newark).

He said BA’s pension burden would prevent Virgin Atlantic from mounting a takeover.

 

[garyjohn951]

The BA pension scheme is why no one will take them over.

 

[Nigelinoz]

One would think that any airline CEO worth their salt would be concentrating on keeping their own company running smoothly and efficiently in these times of economic uncertainty rather than thinking about taking on somebody else's worries as well.
Sure there are times for merger talks and I guess that there may be an argument for picking up a bargain when the bargain is there to be had but
IMHO it would be a brave CEO who even thought about taking on BA at the moment.