VIRGIN BLUE, the Australian alternative to Qantas and its associates, is set for some dramatic changes after the country's dominant port operator, Patrick Corp, which has a 62.4% stake in the carrier, accepted US$ 4.52bn takeover bid from Toll Holdings.
Toll is the nation's leading provider of integrated transport and logistics services including ports, warehousing, road fleets, ships, rail rolling stock and airfreight capacity.
Virgin Blue's management is on record with plans to launch services to the US under its international Pacific Blue brand. Quite what happens remains to be seen.
More involvement by Sir Richard is thought possible having retained a 25% interest. If the Pacific routes come about it could link up with the embryo Virgin America but there are complications involving SIA, who own 49% of Virgin Atlantic and have certain branding rights.
http://www.virginblue.com.au