VIRGIN ATLANTIC has confirmed an order for up to 26 additional Airbus A340-600. All will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines. The airline currently has seven A340-600s in service following initial deliveries from an earlier order for 12 of the four-engined, long haul aircraft. The aircraft will be delivered between 2006 and 2008. Virgin says that the new ”planes will enable it to double the number of passengers flown each year from 4m to 8m. Capacity will be increased on the airline”s existing network to the US, China, Japan, India, the Caribbean and Africa. The airline”s current ”wish list” includes Bangkok, Chicago (a previous route closed after 9/11), Dubai, Jamaica, Melbourne, Mumbai, Nairobi, Toronto (that had to go after 9/11 too), and Rio de Janeiro (which is now not served non-stop from London).
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com